Are you preparing for a competitive exam like NTS, GAT, or FPSC? English vocabulary can be confusing, especially when hard words appear in the paper. In this article, we will explain the hardest English words with easy meanings. These words are often used in exams and can improve your score. Everything is written in simple and clear language for quick understanding.
What are Hard English Words?
Hard English words are difficult vocabulary that are not used in daily conversation. These words are found in competitive exams, academic reading, or professional writing. Some words have tricky meanings, or they are used in different contexts.
→ Hard words are not hard to learn if explained in simple words.
Why Learn These Words for Exams?
→ Improve understanding of questions
→ Boost writing and speaking skills
→ Increase confidence in English
→ Score better in vocabulary sections
Hardest English Words with Meanings
Here is a short and simple table of hard English words with easy meanings. Each word is written with a short definition and an example.
| Word | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Ambiguous | Not clear or exact | → His answer was ambiguous. |
| Ubiquitous | Everywhere at the same time | → Mobile phones are ubiquitous these days. |
| Alleviate | Make less painful | → This medicine will alleviate your pain. |
| Benevolent | Kind and helpful | → She is a benevolent teacher. |
| Ephemeral | Short-lived, not lasting | → The sunset’s beauty was ephemeral. |
| Mitigate | Reduce the effect | → We must mitigate the risks. |
| Obsolete | No longer used | → That old phone is obsolete now. |
| Ostentatious | Showy or too fancy | → His dress was ostentatious. |
| Pristine | Very clean and fresh | → The beach looked pristine after cleanup. |
| Repercussion | Result of an action | → Breaking rules has repercussions. |
English Words for NTS, GAT, and FPSC
Different Contexts of Some Words
Some hard words are used in more than one way. Let’s understand a few:
1. Alleviate
→ Reduce pain or difficulty
→ Alleviate pressure from studies
2. Obsolete
→ Outdated technology
→ Obsolete thinking in modern world
3. Pristine
→ Clean environment
→ Pristine documents in an office
Hard Words List with Easy Meanings
Here are more difficult words explained simply for your exam prep:
→ Gregarious – Loves to be with people
→ Cacophony – Loud, harsh noise
→ Juxtapose – Place things side by side
→ Ineffable – Too great to describe
→ Resilient – Able to recover quickly
→ Procrastinate – Delay doing something
→ Esoteric – Known by few people
→ Lucid – Clear and easy to understand
→ Vindicate – To prove right
→ Acrimony – Bitterness in words or actions
100 Hardest English Words with Meanings
Here is a list of 100 Hardest English Words with Easy Meanings, specially selected for competitive exams like NTS, GAT, FPSC, etc. These words are often used in exam vocabulary, comprehension, and essay writing sections. All meanings are written in simple English for easy understanding.
| Words | Meanings |
| Guile | Clever dishonesty |
| Harangue | Long angry speech |
| Hegemony | Control or power |
| Iconoclast | Person against tradition |
| Idiosyncrasy | Personal habit |
| Imminent | About to happen |
| Impervious | Not affected |
| Impetuous | Acting without thinking |
| Impugn | To challenge or question |
| Inane | Silly or stupid |
| Inchoate | Just started, not developed |
| Indolent | Lazy |
| Ineffable | Too great to describe |
| Inimical | Harmful or unfriendly |
| Inscrutable | Hard to understand |
| Insipid | Boring or tasteless |
| Intrepid | Very brave |
| Invective | Rude or abusive language |
| Irascible | Easily angry |
| Juxtapose | Put side by side |
| Laconic | Using few words |
| Lethargic | Without energy |
| Magnanimous | Kind and forgiving |
| Malevolent | Evil or harmful |
| Mawkish | Too emotional |
| Mendacious | Lying or false |
| Mercurial | Mood changes quickly |
| Meticulous | Very careful |
| Mitigate | Make less bad |
| Nefarious | Wicked or evil |
| Obdurate | Stubborn |
| Obfuscate | Make unclear |
| Obsequious | Too eager to please |
| Ostentatious | Showy or flashy |
| Paradigm | Example or model |
| Pejorative | Negative or critical |
| Perfunctory | Done without care |
| Perspicacious | Very smart and observant |
| Pragmatic | Practical |
English Words Meanings for Competitive Exams
| Words | Meanings |
|---|---|
| Abate | To reduce or lessen |
| Aberration | Unusual or strange |
| Abhorrent | Very bad or hateful |
| Abstruse | Hard to understand |
| Acquiesce | Agree silently |
| Acrimony | Harsh words or bitterness |
| Adulation | Too much praise |
| Alacrity | Cheerful readiness |
| Alleviate | Reduce pain or stress |
| Ambiguous | Not clear |
| Ameliorate | Make better |
| Anachronistic | Out of correct time |
| Antithesis | Exact opposite |
| Apathy | Lack of interest |
| Apocryphal | Probably not true |
| Arbitrary | Without reason |
| Assiduous | Hard-working |
| Astute | Clever or smart |
| Avarice | Too much greed |
| Belligerent | Aggressive or fighting |
| Benevolent | Kind and helpful |
| Bombastic | High-sounding but empty |
| Capitulate | To give in or surrender |
| Caustic | Bitter or sarcastic |
| Clandestine | Secret or hidden |
| Coerce | Force someone |
| Cogent | Strong and convincing |
| Concur | To agree |
| Conundrum | A confusing problem |
| Cryptic | Mysterious |
| Cursory | Quick and not detailed |
| Debilitate | Make weak |
| Deference | Respect |
| Delineate | To describe clearly |
| Deride | To make fun of |
| Detrimental | Harmful |
| Didactic | Intended to teach |
| Disdain | Disrespect |
| Disparate | Very different |
| Disseminate | Spread information |
Competitive Exams Words Meanings
| Words | Meanings |
| Ebullient | Full of energy |
| Eccentric | Strange or unusual |
| Egregious | Very bad |
| Elucidate | To explain clearly |
| Emulate | To copy or follow |
| Enervate | To make weak |
| Engender | To cause or produce |
| Ennui | Boredom |
| Entreat | Beg seriously |
| Enumerate | Count or list |
| Ephemeral | Lasting a short time |
| Esoteric | Known by few |
| Exacerbate | Make worse |
| Exculpate | Prove not guilty |
| Fastidious | Hard to please |
| Fatuous | Foolish or silly |
| Fecund | Productive |
| Flagrant | Obvious and bad |
| Florid | Over-decorated |
| Fortuitous | Lucky accident |
| Fractious | Irritable or complaining |
| Garrulous | Talkative |
| Grandiloquent | Using big words |
| Gregarious | Social and friendly |
Hardest English Words Meanings for Competitive Exams
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FAQs
Q1: What is the best way to remember hard English words?
→ Use them in simple sentences every day and revise regularly.
Q2: Are hard English words important for NTS or GAT exams?
→ Yes, they are often asked in vocabulary sections.
Q3: Can I use these words in speaking tests too?
→ Yes, but only if you are comfortable with them.
Q4: How many hard words should I learn daily?
→ Start with 5–10 words daily with meanings and examples.
Q5: Are these words also helpful for writing skills?
→ Absolutely! They help you write better essays and paragraphs.
