Fun Words

Jane C.
Unusual (to me) words that are evocative, entertaining, or otherwise a hoot!
19 words 1591 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. harlequinade
    acting like a clown or buffoon
  2. parvenu
    a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status
  3. contumacious
    willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
  4. somniloquy
    uttering speech while asleep
  5. kerfuffle
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
  6. ululate
    emit long loud cries
  7. chiaroscuro
    the arrangement or interplay of light and dark in an artwork
  8. lagniappe
    a small gift given by a merchant to a customer
  9. pusillanimous
    lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
  10. antediluvian
    of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
  11. flambeau
    a flaming torch (such as are used in processions at night)
  12. titular
    existing in name only
  13. syzygy
    the straight line configuration of three celestial bodies
  14. onomatopoeic
    of or relating to or characterized by onomatopoeia
  15. tintinnabulation
    the sound of a bell ringing
  16. bivouac
    temporary living quarters specially built by the army for soldiers
  17. defenestrate
    throw through or out of a window
  18. lugubrious
    excessively mournful
  19. penumbra
    a region of light shadow around the darkest part of a shadow
Created on Sat Jul 26 15:33:45 EDT 2008 (updated Sat Aug 30 04:56:10 EDT 2008)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.