2015 Study Guide
Thursday, November 5
Sprague School Gymnasium
Spelling Team Members
6:30 pm Check In and Light Refreshments
7:00 pm Spelling Bee Begins
Welcome to the 26th Annual
Wellesley Spelling Bee
If you have questions about the Bee,
please contact our Co-Chairs at
[email protected]
or call:
Stacy Braatz
781.235.0356
Lisa Collins
617.513.2760
Beth Dublin
857.222.1122
Judy Zimmerman
781.431.8621
Please inform us of any changes
to your team as soon as possible.
Our program goes to print on October 23rd.
Spelling Bee Rules
1. Each team will consist of three members, including the
Captain, who is the designated speller.
2. Words used in the preliminary rounds of the Bee will be
selected from this year’s Study Guide, a copy of which has
been made available to each team member.
3. Words will be pronounced according to the diacritical
markings in the American Heritage Dictionary: Fourth
College Edition and Webster’s Third New International
Dictionary and its Addenda section, the official Bee
dictionaries.
4. The Master of Ceremonies will pronounce the word, give
the definition of the word, use it in a sentence, and
pronounce the word once more.
5. Team members may ask for one additional pronunciation
for the word, but no more.
6. Team members may collaborate on the spelling of the
word. Each team will print the word legibly on the slate
provided. All teams will complete the writing of the word
within 25 seconds and will be instructed to put down all
writing implements.
7. All teams will then display their slates simultaneously as
directed, and if asked by the Master of Ceremonies, the
Captain will spell the word as written. If there is a
discrepancy in the written and oral spelling, the written
spelling will prevail.
8. Upon misspelling a word, the team will be eliminated. If all
remaining teams spell the word incorrectly, no team will be
eliminated, and a new word will be given.
9. The last team to spell a word correctly in a particular round
is declared the winner of that round.
10. Winners of the Preliminary Rounds shall be recalled for the
Championship Round, and the same rules will apply.
Words for this round may be taken from a variety of
sources, and may not necessarily be in the current year’s
Study Guide.
Judges will make the final decision on all questions.
Chemistry
Chemistry is a science that deals with the composition, structure and
properties of substances and of the transformations that they undergo.
BEGINNING
supercool
subshell
beaker
antacid
emit
invert
cubic
normality
noble
fixation
alloy
ozone
boric
decompose
density
condense
solvent
sublime
aromatic
plasma
overvoltage
evaporate
carbide
peptide
corrode
reactant
molar
trans
sucrose
glucose
carbonate
vaporize
nitrite
diatomic
dipolar
mineralize
adhesion
orbital
atmospheric
thermochemical
electrochemical
diamagnetic
volumetric
hydroxide
saturated
protein
ionize
dative
gravimetric
calorimetric
polarimetric
fluoride
INTERMEDIATE
residue
gaseous
kinetic
molecular
intermolecular
planar
precipitate
oxidize
methanize
neutralize
volatile
triclinic
chromic
mercuric
isotopic
isoelectronic
electrolyte
termolecular
alkaline
resonance
redox
homonuclear
endothermic
distillation
dissociative
diffract
valence
univalent
exothermally
enzyme
synthesize
polydentate
galvanic
equilibrium
disproportionate
borane
reagent
aerosol
silica
amorphous
nicad
acetone
aqueous
ethanol
viscous
hypotonic
superimposable
semipermeable
tetrachloride
tetrahedral
ester
humic
acetic
hygroscopic
chloroform
metalloid
ammoniac
catalytic
cyanide
homogeneous
actinide
titration
protonate
ferric
manganese
anionic
cationic
anhydrous
halide
osmotic
isomeric
perchlorinate
pipetted
amalgam
ketone
carcinogenic
catenate
saponify
eutrophic
allotropic
alkane
cis
metathesis
protium
labile
amine
glycerol
aldehyde
pyrometallurgical
corundum
ternary
miscible
ligand
ADVANCED
hematite
stannous
enthalpy
naphtha
orthorhombic
dimer
meniscus
silane
amphoteric
coulometric
aryl
chelate
chiral
Poe Words
Although Edgar Allen Poe died in 1849 at the age of 40, his poems and
stories live on. Who can forget “The Raven” or “The Tell Tale Heart”?
Listed is a sampling of Poe’s literary vocabulary of almost 26,000 words.
BEGINNING
blockhead
landscape
wasteful
refreshment
repeated
beastly
operation
modestly
lodging
tiresome
knowingly
shipwreck
curbstone
bandage
tropical
safeguard
failure
vainly
grumbling
identify
misfortune
affection
complaint
expensive
admirer
scenic
plentiful
enormous
benefit
distinct
glimpse
tendency
courage
ordinary
visually
hoisted
novelist
squandering
deadened
decisive
incapable
unfulfilled
benumbed
celebrate
glistened
memorable
humanely
apology
peasant
impatiently
repetition
habitual
fiercest
guitar
righteous
congealed
grotesqueness
INTERMEDIATE
astrologer
occupancy
frolicsome
unprincipled
coincidence
lozenge
chronicles
orthography
circuit
ridiculously
incoherently
usurped
mahogany
extraneous
chisel
officious
barricade
epilepsy
decrepitude
hysterical
excruciating
bereavement
treacherous
idolatrous
subservience
aeronautic
cylindrical
debilitated
chandelier
patrician
committal
predecessor
impalpable
imbecile
blasphemous
magnanimity
unappeasable
antiquarian
ascension
fulsomely
precipice
emaciation
benevolence
virulence
euphonious
catacombs
timorously
funereal
drollery
embalmment
clandestinely
periphery
phlegmatic
susceptible
propinquity
edifices
neuralgia
hydrangea
doughty
soliloquy
irascibility
stanchion
paroxysm
ADVANCED
aquiline
hypochondria
oscillation
idiosyncratic
flambeau
animadversion
auricle
reminiscences
equinoctial
centripetal
viscera
seraphic
soiree
concierge
pirouette
chicanery
paraphernalia
hieroglyphics
lorgnette
habiliments
puerile
verisimilitude
vicissitude
prescience
peregrination
connoisseur
eglantine
campanile
contretemps
World Religions
All religions have some things in common. They have special names for
hallowed days, practitioners and religious ideas. Study them and open a
window onto the world’s many faiths.
BEGINNING
church
cult
saint
fasting
preach
Bible
holy
temple
Passover
shrine
prayer
confess
worship
sect
plainsong
chapel
priest
belief
divine
dogma
yoga
faithful
mission
deprogram
vocation
devotions
sermon
profane
Trinity
gospel
heavenly
meditate
theology
conversion
demigod
rapture
sabbath
Christian
ritual
parish
Almighty
pagan
relic
idolize
credo
revelation
immortal
cathedral
karma
pagoda
goddess
pious
INTERMEDIATE
invocation
Catholic
guru
purify
clergy
monastic
rabbi
prophet
caste
ordination
orthodox
Vatican
Protestant
agnostic
novice
vigil
rosary
scriptural
mosque
monotheistic
friar
Messiah
consecrate
Judaism
absolution
sanctum
televangelist
manna
archangel
laity
ablution
Zionist
conclave
irreligious
tabernacle
patriarch
venerable
liturgy
pontiff
expiate
infidel
offertory
doxology
genuflect
lama
votary
martyr
animism
penitent
Zendo
pantheon
omniscient
charismatic
unction
apostate
bethel
Confucian
supernal
cantor
acolyte
pandit
shaman
apotheosis
ADVANCED
epiphany
sacrosanct
ecclesiastic
anathema
Taoism
neophyte
Talmud
sacristan
menorah
Eucharist
Rastafarian
Canaan
ayatollah
sacerdotal
agape
proselyte
breviary
Veda
naology
hagiographer
mandala
imam
afflatus
zazen
stupa
satori
Jainism
Zoroastrian
glossolalia
heortology
nullifidian
koan
daven
ahimsa
koinonia
kittel
mandir
mazar
hafiz
acharya
Wesak
manes
aition
mihrab
giaour
Folk Etymologies
It is a common instinct to alter slightly an unfamiliar word in order to
make it sound more familiar. Student essays sometimes contain
solecisms, and English speakers have also permanently altered words.
BEGINNING
car
frog
fresh
charm
patch
lapwing
blindfold
woodchuck
chessman
hangnail
handspike
bridegroom
drilling
bridge
uproar
brandy
marketfish
breaker
permit
compound
turtle
abide
rosemary
rapper
coppernose
cordwinder
spareribs
icebone
matchcoat
penthouse
brooklime
loafer
hawker
shingles
lintwhite
charterhouse
coalmouse
muskrat
duel
fishgig
journeycake
chesstree
baldmoney
lutestring
language
companion
earnest
coverlet
admiral
gridiron
halfpace
benjamin
hairhound
INTERMEDIATE
marie
pennyroyal
counterpane
carstone
sockeye
walleyed
chickling
curtail
arsenic
cesspool
mohair
kickshaw
billycan
demijohn
eatage
blunderbuss
mollyhawk
embergoose
electuary
crucible
bowgrace
necromancy
cooncan
eddyroot
collywobbles
linstock
hackamore
narcissus
posthumous
lackadaisical
palberry
thirdborough
bawcock
ADVANCED
orlean
cate
alison
accipiter
seapoose
naseberry
furbelow
paduasoy
groundsel
shagreen
bocaccio
choucroute
isinglass
borsholder
faineant
skirret
catalineta
dowlas
eloge
sacalait
agalloch
echoppe
Del Español
Some of these “from the Spanish” words may be very familiar to you.
Some you may have never seen before. You will be glad to know that
almost all of these words are spelled exactly the way they are
pronounced.
BEGINNING
cask
plaza
nacho
pronto
rodeo
patio
banana
mustang
fiesta
siesta
bonanza
vanilla
cafeteria
flamingo
hurricane
mesa
alligator
Inca
condor
INTERMEDIATE
adios
amigo
Latino
burro
adobe
Aztec
corral
padre
armada
enchilada
renegade
anchovy
embargo
Chicano
savvy
cantina
cabana
brocade
sierra
coyote
pueblo
alfalfa
pinata
barrio
adobo
laguna
vigilante
alpaca
paloma
abalone
castanets
muchacha
changa
bolivar
tilde
hacienda
sombra
cilantro
empanada
hombre
conquistador
doubloons
caldera
charango
junta
ADVANCED
quirt
machismo
bodega
gazpacho
altiplano
merino
Chihuahua
pochismo
tomatillo
mestizo
duenna
paella
grunion
banderilla
disembogue
cedilla
camisa
casuistry
cargador
jicama
ladino
peccadillo
faja
dulcinea
campesino
cordillera
blanquillo
aparejo
sarsaparilla
rasgado
incienso
novillero
jicara
suerte
palometa
sudadero
viga
mundungus
llanero
volador
cabecera
sevillana
comandancia
churrasco
caudillo
capeador
guiro
criollo
ronquil
chayote
Calinago
Chinarra
sillar
Gallinazo
Spelling tip: In words of Spanish origin, the /y/ sound is frequently
spelled ll, and the /h/ sound is frequently spelled j.
Crime and Punishment
“Crime and Punishment grow out of one stem. Punishment is a fruit that,
unsuspected, ripens within the flower of the pleasure that concealed it.”
-Ralph Waldo Emerson from “Compensation,” an essay published 1841
BEGINNING
dragnet
snitch
voiceprint
handcuffs
shoplifting
skyjacking
safecracking
highwayman
pickpocket
blackmail
bondsman
mobster
gangster
slander
prowler
robbery
troublemaker
bootlegger
stakeout
prisoner
smuggler
suspended
bounty
detective
murderer
poacher
arson
probation
testify
banditry
insanity
eyewitness
infraction
detention
piracy
evidence
warden
fraud
swindler
entrapment
confinement
abduction
deposition
custody
stockade
correctional
detainer
defendant
reformatory
assault
transgression
vandalism
summons
treason
mutiny
felony
culprit
arrestee
hoodlum
lynching
forgery
parolee
INTERMEDIATE
remand
alias
alibi
villain
warrant
rustling
bribery
injunction
criminology
electrocution
execution
commitment
vindicate
reprieve
thievery
burglary
premeditation
rehabilitation
insubordination
desperado
amnesty
vagrancy
mayhem
bigamy
ballistics
postmortem
matricide
patricide
constable
autopsy
manslaughter
larceny
sabotage
perpetrator
scofflaw
conspiracy
commutation
extradition
substantiate
complicity
apprehend
defamation
circumstantial
incriminating
syndicate
racketeer
accomplice
leniency
scoundrel
extortion
homicide
infanticide
regicide
genocide
plaintiff
polygrapher
penology
collusion
subornation
mitigate
malversation
malefactor
exonerate
payola
penitentiary
sequester
embezzlement
pilferage
hooligan
purloin
deterrent
dereliction
corroboration
incendiary
exculpate
espionage
peculation
misdemeanor
indictment
gibbet
pillory
incarceration
assassination
contumacy
defalcation
appellate
guillotine
counterfeiter
affidavit
ADVANCED
miscreant
dactyloscopy
recidivism
embracery
gendarme
amercement
parricide
moulage
mittimus
Colorific!
All of these words are related in some way to color. Some are actual
names of colors, and some have definitions based on specific colors.
Some are the names of substances, plants or animals that have a unique
color as a distinguishing feature.
BEGINNING
lake
slate
drab
cherry
brassy
iceblink
bleach
brownstone
strawberry
buff
amber
charcoal
shiner
ginger
rosy
kelly
ivory
spruce
neon
aqua
raven
ruddy
chocolate
ultramarine
pastel
russet
rouge
tangerine
indigo
roan
INTERMEDIATE
bronze
emerald
gilded
coral
cardinal
scarlet
pearly
canary
topaz
salmon
auburn
fiery
teal
agate
tinge
foxing
livid
burgundy
azure
dun
umber
lurid
henna
totem
sapphire
melanoma
tawny
ebonize
mauve
sallow
saffron
colorimeter
magenta
wheaten
carmine
tincture
champagne
alabaster
alpenglow
beige
chromometer
chroma
taupe
chromatosis
verdure
chlorosis
onyx
forsythia
silhouette
ecru
ADVANCED
pied
variegated
sepia
cordovan
cyanosis
olivaceous
piebald
rembrandt
roseola
sorrel
guernsey
pompeii
flammeous
psychedelic
vinaceous
atrament
viridity
hoary
arbutus
plumbeous
killarney
violaceous
platina
anaglyph
verdigris
hemochromatosis
viridescent
acrocyanosis
fulvous
pitchblende
hematochrome
titian
chrysochlorous
adustiosis
chloasma
brunneous
fuliginous
cinereal
rutilant
rubefacient
smaragdine
bilirubin
xanthic
iodopsin
erythrophobia
roux
bardiglio
ponceau
woad
erythropsia
chiaroscurist
pongee
ecchymosis
philamot
phaeochrous
wiesenboden
chernozem
tilleul
email
Fabulous Words
Each of these “fabulous words” is related in some way to mythology,
legends or folklore. Hunt down the origins and discover what makes
each word fabulous!
BEGINNING
may
March
June
Friday
Thursday
April
January
Tuesday
flora
cupid
panic
Atlas
unicorn
cereal
Wednesday
museum
titan
Grail
mentor
harpy
vesta
echoed
tridental
hector
INTERMEDIATE
Olympian
tantalize
Camelot
lethargic
Muses
fauna
nix
ambrosia
ogre
Adonis
stentorian
mercurial
pegasus
Arthurian
atrophy
sphinx
basilisk
hydra
tiki
medusa
argonaut
plutonian
nemesis
arachnoid
gargantuan
gordian
adonize
gorgonize
Cassandra
cornucopia
serendipitous
triton
Apollonian
niobium
norns
psyche
Cyclops
janiform
Bunyanesque
protean
procrustean
calypso
calliope
ADVANCED
Galahad
zephyr
hippogriff
dryad
palladian
narcissism
odyssey
Promethean
chimerical
lilliputian
Hadean
elysium
halcyon
mnemonically
arachnophagous
Icarian
Achillean
stygian
golem
hebephrenia
Aesopian
Morpheus
Antaean
hamadryad
Augean
momus
pleiad
daedal
ichorous
Lethean
Cerberean
corybantic
Osirian
Euterpean
Philomel
Aesculapian
Nereid
Fomorian
parandrus
myrmidon
hygeian
Pantagruelism
Scylla
Charybdis
folletto
makara
kraken
Pierian
menehune
korrigan
phaeton
Cimmerian
Ogygian
Aesir
Thyestean
rhadamanthine
All Dressed Up
Human beings have been decorating objects and themselves for
thousands of years.
BEGINNING
groom
crest
shellwork
lipstick
chase
frill
punching
pinking
beading
trimming
tooling
carving
suncatcher
adorned
choker
border
bedeck
ornate
locket
mounting
tiepin
varnish
anklet
fretwork
fringe
glittering
edging
ribbon
frogged
braid
glitz
barding
spangle
fiddlehead
gingerbread
jewel
finery
marbled
splendid
pierced
showily
fancily
garland
arcaded
prettify
trinket
inlaid
emboss
ornament
decorative
cosmetic
bracelet
drapery
fandangle
doily
festoon
polychrome
elegant
enamel
INTERMEDIATE
pansied
flouncing
neckerchief
illuminate
embellish
buttony
tracery
ostentation
mosaic
embroider
plumage
altarpiece
stucco
tapestried
bauble
medallion
rosette
sequin
tassel
tinselry
buttress
sconce
foliation
topiary
chichi
scrimshaw
engrail
stellated
arboriculture
willowware
finial
incised
xylograph
rococo
patina
froufrou
bedizen
bulla
floreted
frieze
parquetry
panache
architrave
malleate
aureate
niello
gadroon
broguing
miniate
ADVANCED
Byzantine
decoupage
acanthus
bijou
appliquer
hyacinthine
encarpus
intaglio
clinquant
bretelle
assisi
cabochon
bibelot
chinoiserie
culgee
parergon
parure
labret
sigillate
bocage
navicella
esclavage
torsade
engobe
McIntire
trumeau
heliced
tilak
ormolu
lambrequin
skeuomorph
rocaille
Bonnaz
sgraffito
pendeloque
chevesaile
distelfink
ikat
netsuke
churrigueresque
The Round Table
The Middle Ages were a time of social rules so elaborate that they are
admired to this day. The vocabulary of castles and knights is evocative of
these times and provides a rich addition to your studies.
BEGINNING
stronghold
bedchamber
lance
jester
nosegay
courtly
courtyard
breastplate
scroll
casement
crossbow
warlock
kinswoman
battlement
wizard
lute
moat
fortress
potion
consort
squire
mermaid
trencher
Crusade
motto
tunic
manor
heraldry
druid
INTERMEDIATE
sable
rampart
coronation
privy
allure
falconry
pennant
prowess
barracks
siege
dexter
baronet
homage
arcane
postern
portent
cornice
courser
doublet
forsooth
sorcerer
turret
pageantry
battalion
fletching
courtier
marchpane
canton
jerkin
argent
brigand
pavilion
portcullis
parapet
citadel
scabbard
vassal
peerage
fealty
chamberlain
blazon
alchemy
chivalry
armature
sinistral
nobiliary
caparison
labyrinth
bastion
palfrey
madrigal
magus
greave
bascule
mage
ADVANCED
bailey
pomander
liege
banquette
barbican
cantle
viscount
couchant
hauberk
vexillary
alembic
embrasure
coquetry
paladin
fimbriation
bartizan
armiger
machicolation
castellan
garderobe
scutage
marchioness
destrier
jambeau
seneschal
merlon
mangonel
demesne
gules
tallage
vair
esne
enceinte
pursuivant
Prefixes Rule!
Rule: When adding a prefix (or its assimilated form) that forms a new
word, a base word usually remains unchanged.
The prefixes used here with assimilated forms include: ad- (assimilates to ac-,
af-, ag-, al-, ap-, as-, at-), in- (assimilates to il-, im-, ir-), com- (assimilates to col-,
con-, cor-), ex- (assimilates to ef-) and en- (assimilates to em-).
BEGINNING
appoint
attuned
allocate
prehistory
preexist
prematurely
preengagement
unnerve
unnatural
misuse
misspeak
misstrike
missorted
misstatement
misspelling
misinterpret
recall
respell
reelected
resurge
reestablish
reevaluate
nonnative
suspend
suppress
supplant
correspond
connote
dislocated
disembark
disenable
enact
empower
embattled
surpass
surcharge
surrendered
interactive
interlinear
interrelate
interreflection
supersonic
superabundant
posttest
postdoctoral
observe
oppress
oppose
perchance
INTERMEDIATE
adjoining
aggraded
allegation
affiliate
affluent
acculturation
assuasive
agglomerate
adrenal
assurgent
appertain
accumbent
inorganic
illiteracy
illegible
immaculate
immemorial
inanimate
irreverent
innavigable
immutable
illimitable
innocuous
inoculate
irreconcilable
immalleable
preemptive
prerequisite
preemergent
preeminent
unutterable
unadulterated
unaccountable
unerringly
unimpeded
unintelligible
unobtrusively
unnecessarily
unurbane
unimpeachable
unannotated
unupholstered
unenforceable
misorientation
misemphasize
misanthropic
reenactment
reincarnation
recyclable
readjourn
noncombatant
nonnuclear
nonentity
nonnecessity
nonnegotiable
suburban
subordinate
suffuse
suffumigate
subaqueous
subfulgent
corrugated
correlative
collateral
collocate
colligate
connatural
commeasurable
effuse
effluent
edentulous
efflorescence
dissolution
disentangle
dissimulate
disembowel
dissymmetry
disinterred
dissimilitude
emblazon
enorganic
enepidermic
surmountable
surrealism
interregnum
superrational
superannuated
superencipherment
posttension
postnuptial
obrotund
perennial
perambulate
perlingual
ADVANCED
immiscible
subaltern
subboreal
commensal
commensurate
exacerbate
exsuccous
postcibal
It’s About Time
English has a variety of words that we can use when we answer the
question “When?” Each word listed below has some connection to the
concept of time or timekeeping.
BEGINNING
beeline
timework
dogwatch
longtimer
timeworn
headlong
eventide
nighttime
yore
prolonger
twilight
escapement
thereabouts
latterly
heretofore
theretofore
hitherto
ere
dillydally
hydroperiod
futurity
mourning
dawdler
autumnal
hourage
calendar
piecemeal
campaign
curfew
INTERMEDIATE
ancestor
incubation
prenatal
antiquity
concurrent
chronic
procrastinate
prelude
congenital
inopportune
metronome
fallow
vernal
epoch
postpartum
tenancy
incumbency
premundane
regime
interim
baroque
avalanche
olympiad
perpetuity
latency
anon
ultimo
chronal
expeditious
moratorium
Hellenic
biennium
adolescence
doldrums
agonal
hibernal
centiday
aboriginally
simultaneously
extemporaneous
contemporaneous
chronologize
adjournment
interminable
proximo
erstwhile
pluvial
prenuptial
primaveral
frondescence
andante
geochrony
anachronism
arrears
pendule
filibuster
prelapsarian
antebellum
lustrum
asynchrony
synchroneity
pliothermic
dilatorily
quotidian
tarriance
metachronous
ubiquitous
concomitant
isochronal
parachronism
nonage
prestissimo
antecessor
priscan
detent
quietus
fermata
postprandial
ADVANCED
ephemerally
Renaissance
dysrhythmia
quondam
cunctation
precibal
plenilune
larghetto
horologium
Pythiad
pridian
fastigium
ennui
whilom
antediluvian
serotinal
concento
trecento
quattrocento
floruit
bradytely
tachytely
oxytocia
dystocia
antenati
hemera
makahiki
demurrage
cinquecento
seicento
gnomon
Noachian
zietgeist
zeitgeber
kairos
risorgimento
aggiornamento
clepsydra
laches
ghurry
The Body Within
The amazing human body is made up of billions of cells and has more
than 200 bones and 600 muscles. The words in this category relate to
various parts, processes and biochemicals that play a role in making the
body work.
BEGINNING
brain
spleen
heart
throat
contract
constrict
shoulder
swallow
absorb
spinal
limb
digest
pulsate
perspire
respire
kidney
nervous
tissue
impulse
muscular
gastric
vein
sinus
dilate
artery
pelvis
cardiac
atrium
antibody
hormone
cavity
stomach
facial
intestine
skeleton
ventilate
circulate
articulate
sternum
abdomen
secrete
steroid
aorta
mucous
cranial
tonsil
stimulus
thyroid
receptor
cornea
platelet
palate
ligament
pancreas
capillary
INTERMEDIATE
carbohydrates
embryonic
epidermis
physiology
metabolize
ocular
neural
coagulate
cholesterol
chromosome
pulmonary
lymph
vertebral
femur
polypeptide
masticate
pituitary
diastolic
epiglottis
glycogen
olfactory
ventricle
peripheral
bronchial
tracheal
periodontal
immunologic
triglycerides
endocrine
larynx
endothelium
epithelial
cutaneous
cytoplasm
glucocorticoid
synapse
clavicle
macrophage
mandibular
sphincter
sacroiliac
hypothalamic
saccharide
duodenum
ganglion
proteinase
cerebellar
pharynx
carotid
organogeny
aldosterone
alveolar
commissure
osteocyte
agglutinate
phalanges
serotonin
calcitonin
mesentery
calcaneus
cochlear
medullary
masseter
buccinators
ADVANCED
ginglymus
eustachian
rhomboideus
phosphorolysis
perinephrium
rhinencephalon
nociceptive
cirrhosis
erythrocyte
syndesmosis
creatinine
foramen
acetabulum
fasciculus
neurohypophysis
aryepiglottic
thyroarytenoid
coccygeal
gastrocnemius
acetylcholine
phenylalanine
achondroplasia
iliocostalis
cholinesterase
tryptophanase
trochanter
pterygoid
chyle
tropomyosin
chymotrypsin
amygdaline
parenchyma
ptyalin
stylopharyngeus
somatopleure
perimysium
paristhmion
Little Words
Diminutive word elements such as English –ie, French –ette and Italian
–ina are familiar to us. Other diminutive forms such as Portuguese –inha
and Gaelic –een and –an are less well-known.
BEGINNER
purplish
munchkin
bambino
granule
eyelet
mantilla
scruple
creel
mosquito
stipple
pullet
gullet
floweret
signet
patella
flotilla
poetaster
medicaster
suet
INTERMEDIATE
armadillo
marsupium
obelisk
cringle
crouton
osculate
jocular
uvula
corpuscle
stellular
graffiti
zucchini
lancet
smithereens
colleen
undulate
spinet
jonquil
sachet
arietta
musette
opusculum
manacle
cupola
chenille
babushka
deltiology
libretto
homunculus
pianino
flagellate
brogan
adminicle
pillion
vesicle
varicella
duvet
febricula
lenticula
gondolet
dulcet
sonatina
cabrito
ossicle
ancilla
fusilli
donzella
graticule
caruncle
furuncle
radiculose
ramulose
ponticello
violoncello
punctilio
annulet
cabriolet
amorino
flautino
maquette
couchette
chevrette
lineolate
lanceolate
hypocorism
gambrel
scholium
codicil
nacelle
dactylion
hypolimnion
logion
blintze
barbellate
lochan
escadrille
trousseau
signorina
kepi
fustanella
gaufrette
toccatina
gigot
gorget
graupel
hirtellous
sacellum
crinet
spiedino
chistera
sciolous
ADVANCED
aileron
pusillanimous
vibratiuncle
vaporetto
capretto
caravel
rappini
firkin
dirndl
fughetta
cascabel
Catullian
panela
floccillation
cornichon
acicula
coquina
souvlaki
schipperke
chatelet
lapilli
naveta
coleta
troche
bouquiniste
ditalini
vrille
sinfonietta
bottine
chenet
liman
scagliola
capriccietto
armitas
leoncito
ottavino
kipfel
kichel
chevrotain
epyllion
nockerl
boomdassie
boneen
urceole
salicet
Watership Down
Watership Down by Richard Adams contains many layers of meaning,
making it a novel that readers of all ages can enjoy. Adventure story,
romance, allegory, informative work? Watership Down belongs to all
these genres.
BEGINNING
down
punt
scrape
scent
hare
lure
tact
virus
sneer
proverb
yearling
does
caper
rascal
refuge
singular
inert
vole
muzzle
parentage
forestall
exotic
heather
nostrils
telepathic
piers
tiers
alcove
veterans
oasis
talons
thorough
superlative
hoax
ragwort
torpid
INTERMEDIATE
scut
martin
remedy
sentry
malice
bilge
obliged
gnats
stagnant
fidgeting
salivate
fronds
thyme
stupor
lavatory
kennel
foliage
ferret
pheasant
incite
tyrant
mallard
pungent
menial
forage
wretchedness
parallel
dispel
pliant
warren
stupefy
respite
nightingale
utilitarian
juniper
vagabonds
flotsam
pallid
phenomenon
luminous
culvert
fleabane
oblique
latticed
malodorous
membranous
scrupulously
emigration
paralysis
loathe
vernacular
reciprocal
nuisance
cadences
cumuli
reticence
harassed
filamentary
cuckoo
escarpment
opulent
rookery
swedes
debris
lichen
rhubarb
yew
carrion
lassitude
gossamer
runnels
gorse
trefoil
kestrel
docilely
plover
redolent
stoat
myriads
riparian
tremolo
chrysanthemum
ADVANCED
miasma
mendicant
flaccid
stridulated
guttural
coruscated
rhododendron
clematis
pimpernel
glaucous
chaffinch
laburnum
patois
asphodel
Compositae
susurration
bivouac
rowan
tormentil
Mustelidae
myxomatosis
Food for Thought
English has borrowed from many languages not only names of foods but
also words that describe the preparation and presentation of food. Our
culinary vocabulary is a very rich stew indeed!
BEGINNING
plank
undercook
butterfly
stuff
broil
steam
blanch
stew
devil
simmer
microwave
scramble
pickle
render
parboil
scald
preserve
garnish
poach
deglaze
reconstitute
mixer
masher
kettle
griddle
ricer
whisk
wok
skewer
skillet
spatula
fried
truffled
vegetarian
batter
icing
shortening
ingredient
essence
hash
hamburger
dumplings
macaroni
ravioli
broth
gravy
relish
pesto
chowder
shortcake
popover
pudding
fritter
confection
pretzel
crumpet
clambake
kitchen
chef
leftovers
menu
doneness
INTERMEDIATE
marinate
caramelize
emulsify
puree
gratinate
casserole
salamander
pestle
stroganoff
julienne
leaven
semolina
antipasto
spaghetti
pastina
calzone
aspic
polenta
quiche
ziti
fajitas
croquettes
quesadilla
manicotti
tempura
brochette
orzo
tortellini
kugel
haggis
yakitori
condiment
chutney
Mornay
miso
burgoo
mole
sambal
biscuit
sorbet
mousse
strudel
pandowdy
parfait
knish
pavlova
gourmet
perishable
culinary
cuisine
ADVANCED
fricassee
rotisserie
papillote
anglaise
amandine
chiffonade
tandoori
penne
sauerbraten
sukiyaki
piccata
noisettes
pancetta
blanquette
tournedos
colcannon
quenelle
saltimbocca
carpaccio
tagliatelle
timbale
entremets
gnocchi
vindaloo
cappelletti
jambalaya
vinaigrette
ragout
bouillon
espagnole
dashi
avgolemono
coulis
ravigote
aioli
kuchen
meringue
cannoli
springerle
dacquoise
vacherin
blancmange
charcuterie
Northern Lights
Some English words come from Scandinavia. Some words have Scandinavian
cognates, words that descended into Old English and a Scandinavian language
from a common linguistic ancestor, so they are sort of distant cousins.
BEGINNING
child
carp
trash
harsh
brink
slush
sprint
sister
alike
greedy
booth
underclass
floss
gloss
cobweb
crock
pepper
hunger
aloft
craze
blabber
gagtooth
barefoot
scalp
scoot
scold
hailstones
boon
snipe
adder
harvest
lumber
moped
crutch
clatter
flimflam
clever
wicker
bawl
spry
troll
baggage
thrush
Viking
nudge
iceberg
smelt
dangle
stumble
freckle
bungle
shuttle
shingle
guess
fluster
skull
scoff
seemly
sprang
flounder
hemlock
clumsy
awkward
simper
garth
scour
scowl
harpoon
shilling
axletree
bolster
skittish
reindeer
squall
squatter
squabble
walrus
cower
smithy
anvil
spraddle
sluggard
shriek
sauna
ballast
slaver
slaughter
INTERMEDIATE
lemming
gallows
tundra
heathen
maggot
dandruff
dynamite
hustings
lathe
litmus
Lapp
Stockholm
sleuth
mistletoe
flinders
crochet
bracken
slalom
sagaman
runesmith
tryst
algid
rive
rutabaga
scree
nobelist
bilberry
sleight
cataclastic
wamble
skewbald
Manx
angst
auk
berserk
anneal
eiderdown
tungsten
selenic
vanadium
blatherskite
fleer
bromeliad
scythe
mercaptan
skerry
pulka
ADVANCED
smorgasbord
rya
Ibsenian
nidor
quisling
Ostmen
Fennoscandian
saithe
tephra
kevel
rosemaling
quern
rudbeckia
rorqual
desman
hardanger
leister
byrnie
glima
lefse
skua
gammelost
bergschrund
Boyg
alstroemeria
Salchow
Kierkegaardian
yttrium
appetitost
rimur
aebleskive
The Ties That Bind
Test what you know about word origins using these words about the
ways that objects, ideas and people are connected. You might easily
guess that tack and brad came to us directly from Middle English, but
what about phalanx and coalesce? Make the connection.
BEGINNING
bolt
clamp
clasp
tack
paste
brad
binding
hitch
amass
weld
weave
flypaper
graft
secure
baste
staple
compress
clingy
stitch
cleave
garter
affix
unify
fasten
knit
allied
birdlime
truss
turnbuckle
cement
toggle
thumbscrew
putty
suction
harness
anchor
splice
tighten
interlace
attraction
assemble
tweezers
vise
friction
tether
magnetic
shackle
dovetailed
connective
grout
fusion
INTERMEDIATE
marriage
attachable
collage
tendon
covenant
fetter
gravitational
indivisible
affinity
coherent
joinery
laminate
coalition
accumulate
juncture
annexation
couching
tentacle
sinew
umbilical
indissoluble
batten
tenacious
snood
ligature
mortar
contiguous
flange
latchet
aggregate
nexus
hermetically
conjugate
solder
conglomerate
gusset
wattle
bowline
concatenate
bollard
accretionary
consanguinity
ADVANCED
glutinous
lariat
coalesce
pinion
phalanx
infrangible
adherend
cincture
viscid
tenon
liaise
mucilaginous
inosculate
sessile
larigo
vinculum
funipendulous
anastomosis
isarithm
chatelaine
pucellas
War and Peace
“There never was a good war, or a bad peace.”
-Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Josiah Quincy, September 11, 1783
BEGINNING
dogfight
foxhole
marksman
submarine
midshipman
statesmanship
reservist
Pentagon
disinformation
quartermaster
headquarters
cruiser
nationalism
destroyer
airborne
ammunition
infantry
bombardment
liberation
confrontation
counterattack
detachment
deployment
nonintervention
commando
captain
terrorism
patriotism
missile
rebellion
stealth
withdrawal
deserter
mobilize
torpedo
skirmish
fortification
traitor
compromise
grenade
vanguard
bazooka
INTERMEDIATE
hostilities
infiltration
gunnery
paratroops
evacuation
escalate
platoon
recruit
installation
diplomacy
artillery
propulsion
conscription
isolationism
militarism
resistance
interdiction
concession
repatriation
cavalry
intimidation
insignia
regiment
coexistence
squadron
thermonuclear
fatigues
jingoism
jurisdiction
amphibious
tactically
sentinel
summitry
ultimatum
combatant
diversionary
adversary
expeditionary
pacification
insurrection
personnel
aerodynamic
vulnerability
reparations
reconciliation
depot
shrapnel
contingent
armaments
negotiator
appeasement
constabulary
emissary
reprisal
garrison
capitulation
bayonet
strafe
ensign
collaborator
accommodation
deterrence
mercenary
commissary
logistician
depredation
sonobuoy
yeoman
stratocracy
colonel
napalm
bellicose
sortie
camouflage
redoubt
brigadier
materiel
coup
ordnance
stratagem
surveillance
cantonment
ADVANCED
cryptanalysis
furlough
legionnaire
echelon
castrametation
plenipotentiary
anabasis
blitzkrieg
cataphract
irenicism
hegemony
enfilade
entente
putsch
Pyrrhic
revanche
trebuchet
rapprochement
diktat
chassepot
aiguillette
condottiere
mitrailleuse
English, Latin and Greek
Each group of words on this page has three roots – one apiece from Old
or Middle English, Latin and Greek. The roots in each “triplet” have the
same meaning.
ENGLISH
LATIN
GREEK
ahorse
begin
bell
black
board
boatload
boniest
brotherliness
browbeat
careworn
cheek
cowcatcher
darkness
debark
dewy
driven
dryness
dwelling
endless
evenness
evildoing
eyeball
eyelid
folksiness
footing
foundling
gird
gnat
goal
golden
graspable
greenness
handily
healthy
housing
equine
initiate
tintinnabulary
atrocious
mensal
naval
ossuary
frat
frontispiece
solicit
buccal
bovine
tenebrosity
cortex
roriferous
agitated
siccative
error
infinite
planer
maleficence
oculus
supercilious
genus
pedicure
invention
succinct
Culex
terminus
aureole
prehensile
verdant
manumit
salute
domiciliated
hippic
archaic
platycodon
melancholy
trapezoid
scaphoid
osteitic
Philadelphia
ophryon
acedia
pareiasaur
buffalo
amaurosis
phloem
drosometer
elastic
azalea
hamartia
aoristic
platypus
blasphemy
ophthalmic
blepharal
gene
podiatrist
eureka
zonal
canopy
teleological
chrysalis
lemma
chlorine
chirography
hygiene
ecocide
ENGLISH
LATIN
GREEK
jumping
life
mouth
nostril
piping
polecat
redden
rootedness
sendee
shapely
sheet
snowbound
speech
starter
steaming
teeth
thought
throwaway
toehold
tongue
toploftical
walk
wall
wedge
wettable
windjammer
woebegone
wooden
wordiness
worm
worthy
resile
vital
oral
nares
fistula
feliform
rubella
radical
missive
formally
folio
nival
locution
origin
vaporer
dental
imputation
reject
digit
lingual
summability
amble
mural
coinage
madid
ventifact
doleful
lignite
verbally
vermin
dignify
pedesis
biotic
stoma
mycteric
syrinx
Ailurus
erythrism
rhizome
pompous
morpheme
phyllo
chionablepsia
aphasia
archizoic
atmogenic
orthodontic
noumenon
ballistic
dactyl
glossal
acrolect
diabetic
tichorrhine
sphenoidal
embrocation
anemobiagraph
epicede
hylophagous
epic
crocodile
axiom
Spelling Counts
Several words on this page have some connection to a specific number.
A look at the etymologies of these words reveals numerical word building
blocks from various languages. Other words are terms to refer to a
number of things collectively or when you are manipulating numbers.
BEGINNING
hatful
fourteen
smattering
sprinkling
duo
trio
forty
bisect
fortnight
fourscore
couple
grist
zilch
nineties
ream
duplex
duet
dual
nil
college
century
median
multitude
twain
sheaf
infinity
quadrangle
hundredth
unique
thrice
ides
duple
shoal
trilogy
halve
congregation
octave
constituency
nonce
monaural
septendecimal
septennial
centurion
covey
barrage
INTERMEDIATE triceratops
iota
heptad
octopod
quadruped
hexapod
tripartite
hexagonal
modicum
plurality
trichotomy
binary
triumvirate
ordinal
quadrilingual
nth
tetralemma
septuplets
decamerous
decimate
bicaudate
bicameral
decuple
deuce
paucity
Mach
passel
quotient
trey
tithe
hecatomb
octuplicate
polydactyly
decathlon
quadrumanous
pentalogy
ADVANCED
horde
quorum
plethora
subtrahend
fusillade
minuend
septuagenarian
tercentenary
vicennial
vigentennial
sesquicentennial
troika
trifurcate
divers
hebdomad
quinquennially
nonagesimal
novenary
nonet
enneastyle
googol
pentastich
diptych
cinque
quinquevir
Pentateuchal
einkorn
quatorzain
quatrefoil
quincunx
minyan
ditokous
senary
dvandva
triskelion
Pansil
semainier
Politics and Government
“Politics is a fascinating game, because politics is government. It is the
art of government.”
-Harry S. Truman, US President 1945 to 1953
BEGINNING
hopper
kingmaker
landslide
crossover
lobby
riding
mudslinging
logrolling
stateswoman
mandate
checkoff
selectman
republic
administer
bizonal
colonial
polling
abdicate
alderman
impeach
centrist
commonwealth
Jacksonian
Dixiecrat
edict
dopester
junket
centralization
constitutional
mugwump
populist
soviet
capitol
levy
dominion
nominee
precinct
regency
libertarian
electioneer
citizen
legislative
capitalist
potentate
anarchy
foolocracy
imperial
INTERMEDIATE
consolidationist
Europeanism
referendum
patronage
despotic
protectorate
abstention
municipality
subsidy
ministerial
committeeman
electorally
tithingman
sedition
gerrymander
caucus
feudal
fascism
census
tariff
bloc
disfranchise
insurgency
inaugural
procurator
acclamation
prerogative
kleptocracy
ombudsman
gubernatorial
dynast
dissident
regulus
interrex
Kremlinology
borough
bureaucracy
agrarianism
consul
caesar
gestapo
oligarchy
proviso
sultanate
plurinominal
autonomous
suffragette
chancellor
mesocracy
kaiserdom
ballotage
doctrinaire
solon
pharaoh
thearchic
ethnarch
cloture
Sandinista
misprision
interpellate
syndicalism
shogunate
empery
bolshevize
toparchy
synarchy
burgher
demagoguery
vicegerent
Machiavellian
capitatim
situs
Locarno
burgrave
plunderbund
penlop
kahal
ADVANCED
ochlocracy
pantisocracy
kakistocracy
perestroika
empleomania
trierarchy
hecatontarchy
satrapy
polis
Jacobin
camarilla
tyrannis
brevet
renvoi
demarche
pronunciamento
sansculotte
politeia
panachage
weltpolitik
hartal
padishah
durbar
suzerain
regie
swaraj
probouleutic
apparatchik
dirigisme
greffier
anschluss
khedive
mwami
prytanis
arrondissement
ayuntamiento
cahier
apparentement
syssel
Sports and Games
The words that describe your favorite sports and games can be drawn
from many languages.
BEGINNING
kick
dogleg
bunt
pitch
trump
speedball
foil
poker
touchdown
touchline
linesman
bunker
polo
shorthanded
tenpins
service
mishit
meld
inning
soccer
umpire
southpaw
blitz
tennis
stalemate
rookie
quarterback
steeplechase
fielder
squeaker
dribble
champion
convention
rugby
domino
volley
birdie
substitute
handicap
curling
archery
hittable
quiver
penalty
peekaboo
offensive
shuttlecock
tetherball
duplicate
ruff
snooker
winnable
wicket
INTERMEDIATE
sumo
singleton
roundsters
marathon
sacrifice
wrestle
backgammon
strategy
ante
tournament
parry
telemark
badminton
equestrian
laurel
Lutz
solitaire
orienteering
venue
billiards
encroachment
javelin
roulette
canoeist
skimeister
attaboy
axel
lacrosse
mulligan
croquet
regatta
cribbage
rivalless
fisticuffs
keno
yachtsman
trifecta
monte
natatorium
velodrome
hoyle
palooka
fronton
dressage
croupier
ADVANCED
pugilist
spinnaker
tobogganer
luger
bagatelle
brisque
tivoli
roleo
quoits
vigorish
klister
Yarborough
shogi
schussboomer
derailleur
torero
fianchetto
gymkhana
mistigris
kriegspiel
bezique
cavalletti
chouette
repechage
vorlage
wedel
zugzwang
lansquenet
xysti
Cognates
Many words are actually related to each other. They developed from
relatively few earlier words and, over time, their meanings and forms
sometimes changed dramatically. Sometimes similar meanings can still
be seen (genteel/gentle); other times only the root shape is visible
(homeSTead/obSTinate).
sta
"stand, stay, firm"
stilt
post
stool
standing
steel
station
homestead
standard
stadium
stet
estate
establishment
storage
starboard
sterling
stallion
status
destination
statistics
restaurant
destine
destitute
apostle
statuary
stamina
stationary
stationery
pedestal
celestial
stamen
instantaneous
obstinate
stalwart
extant
lieutenant
obstetrician
hypostasis
peristaltic
interstice
rheostat
armistice
solstitial
instauration
gestalt
men
“think, remember”
mention
mania
admonish
mantra
monetary
dipsomania
mensuration
monitory
decalcomania
anamnesis
chrestomathy
minnesinger
gn
“know”
note
notion
abnormal
quaint
narrative
notable
uncouth
notorious
diagnosis
prognosis
ignoble
ignoramus
physiognomy
kenning
gnomic
gnosis
gen
“beget”
king
kind
kin
gentle
general
genius
cognate
generate
pregnant
oxygen
gentry
gender
genteel
germinate
benignant
germane
indigenous
eugenics
primogeniture
hallucinogen
disingenuous
nascent
uer
“turn, spin, twist”
warp
wrong
worry
wrench
wrinkle
controversy
diverge
weird
traverse
reverberate
anniversary
wrangle
invertebrate
writhe
versicolor
rhombus
vermicelli
versicle
verbena
diverticulum
vermiculated
tergiversation
virgule
rhabdomancy
Hitting the Books
Studying about studying?
BEGINNING
skim
flunk
scan
cram
homework
bookworm
sheepskin
student
learn
major
review
fellow
assignment
pupil
studious
library
beletter
forestry
unreadable
graduate
civics
anatomy
botany
concentrate
audit
anthology
pathology
garbology
medicine
immersed
engrossed
algebra
economics
grammar
verso
recto
zoology
tribology
exobiology
anthropology
agronomy
oceanography
dermatology
seminar
INTERMEDIATE
journalism
engineering
mechanics
scholar
literate
literacy
conversant
peruse
remedial
academia
academe
philosophy
scrutiny
intellectual
curriculum
demography
semantics
bibliotics
bibliotherapy
toxicology
lexicology
histology
architecture
academician
meteorology
oncology
dietetics
diligent
rudiments
horticulture
hippology
taxonomy
forensics
linguistics
matriculate
cybernetics
interdisciplinary
geriatrics
ethology
plutology
paleography
trigonometry
etymology
pomology
dittology
hematology
petrogeny
myology
mycology
limnology
herpetology
polemology
cryology
speleology
paleontology
gerontology
gastroenterology
genealogy
jurisprudence
euthenics
logopedics
pedant
dyslexia
erudite
aerodromics
aerolithology
syllabus
metallurgy
orology
prosody
glottology
dendrochronology
cetology
ichnology
epidemiology
pseudoptics
pharmaceutics
literati
humaniora
pharmacognosy
anemology
kinesiology
taphonomy
typhlology
ADVANCED
parapsychology
tutelage
philobiblist
numismatics
opsimath
teratology
sinology
cynology
cytology
sitology
gemmary
trichology
epistemology
noology
thaumatology
lepidopterology
theriatrics
pasimology
orismology
larithmics
prolegomenon
hyetology
eschatology
omnilegent
hermeneutics
eremology
examen
orthoepy
confrere
strephosymbolia
phrontistery
saccade
ekistics
clerisy
sederunt
eisegesis
psephology
phthisiology
That’s Entertainment
Shakespeare wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women
merely players.” Here’s a list of words associated with the wonderful
world of entertainment.
BEGINNING
barnstorm
slapstick
flashback
understudy
backstage
screenplay
stagecraft
showstopper
blooper
sketch
limelight
floodlight
broadcast
filmscript
television
stooge
usher
prompter
parade
critic
costume
director
tearjerker
foreground
balcony
animation
multiplex
intermission
property
juggler
announcer
cameraman
docudrama
microphone
cofeature
declaim
filmography
videography
curtain
scrim
puppetry
audience
designer
naturalism
episode
miniseries
gallery
character
auditorium
chorus
gaffer
playwright
carnival
serial
magician
cameo
applause
satire
sequel
jamboree
INTERMEDIATE
dramatization
anticlimax
melodrama
exposition
audition
documentary
continuity
routine
expressionism
projectionist
antagonist
protagonist
illusionist
orchestra
simulcast
heroine
encore
stereophonic
diva
lampoon
impersonator
theatricality
concerto
recitalist
acoustics
extravaganza
vomitory
scenario
matinee
ensemble
buffoon
cyclorama
repertory
pantomime
hippodrome
philharmonic
psychodrama
thespian
masquerade
musicale
pathos
dramaturgy
catastrophe
synchronization
tableau
oratorio
histrionics
comedienne
tragedienne
grandiloquent
mummery
whodunit
symphonette
vaudeville
celluloid
cinephile
genre
Harlequin
nickelodeon
funambulist
mezzanine
intermezzo
mountebank
ADVANCED
montage
supernumerary
mariachi
impresario
maestro
prestidigitator
ingenue
arabesque
parterre
proscenium
protasis
epitasis
catastasis
legerdemain
cinematheque
denouement
Bunraku
auteur
peripety
fantoccini
stichomythia
anagnorisis
coulisse
pasticcio
capriccio
cantatrice
baignoire
regisseur
emmeleia
kathakali
ballabile
feis
Can You Spell These?
The words below are some of the words missed by finalists in previous
national spelling bees. Good luck!
aborad
anemochore
apodictic
Balearic
basenji
belonoid
carnauba
coadunate
conticent
corposant
corticoline
craquelure
empennage
engastrimythic
fanfaronade
filiopietistic
gastrilegous
ginglymus
Gomorrah
heldentenor
hyponychium
innominate
intussusception
isapostolic
longicollous
Lubavitcher
lumbriciform
malapropos
marquisette
Merovingian
mithridatism
mouchoir
Nigerois
obtenebrate
oximeter
parrhesia
parvitude
pignorate
plasmoptysis
pulsatance
ranunculus
reliquary
roborant
sarwan
saxicolous
scaphocephaly
schwarmerei
sciapodous
Shaviana
sibilance
silicicolous
solecism
solipsistic
souchong
splanchnic
stradiot
syringeal
tabard
tanistry
theodicy
tichodrome
timoneer
tinnitus
toile
trepanation
vimineous
vinegarroon
vitrophyre
xenial
Winning Words
Since its inception in 1925 as the collaborative effort of nine newspapers,
the Scripps National Spelling Bee has continued to grow. A spurt in
awareness and participation came with the televising of the national
championship by ESPN in 2011. The words below sealed the
championship rounds.
gladiolus
cerise
luxuriance
albumen
asceticism
fracas
foulard
knack
torsion
deteriorating
intelligible
interning
promiscuous
sanitarium
canonical
therapy
initials
sacrilegious
semaphore
chlorophyll
psychiatry
dulcimer
meticulosity
insouciant
vignette
soubrette
transept
crustaceology
condominium
schappe
syllepsis
catamaran
eudaemonic
smaragdine
esquamulose
equipage
sycophant
eczema
ratoon
Chihuahua
abalone
interlocutory
croissant
shalloon
macerate
vouchsafe
hydrophyte
incisor
narcolepsy
cambist
deification
maculature
elucubrate
sarcophagus
psoriasis
Purim
luge
milieu
odontalgia
staphylococci
elegiacal
spoliator
fibranne
antipyretic
lyceum
kamikaze
antediluvian
xanthosis
vivisepulture
euonym
chiaroscurist
logorrhea
demarche
succedaneum
prospicience
pococurante
autochthonous
appoggiatura
Ursprache
serrefine
guerdon
Laodicean
stromuhr
cymotrichous
guetapens
knaidel
feuilleton
stichomythia
scherenschnitte
nunatak
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