The 50 Most Beautiful English Words
Here are some of the results of the most beautiful English words, as voted for by English learners from non-English-speaking countries. Each word is accompanied by an illustration to give a visual representation of each type of beauty.
A survey conducted by the British Council among 40,000 overseas English learners revealed that “Mother” was voted as the most beautiful English word from among 70 other English words. This survey was conducted in conjunction with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of its establishment.
The British Association had sought 7,000 English learners in 46 countries to inquire about the most beautiful English words that they may have considered. Additionally, the British Council also sought the views of non-English speaking countries via its website. Over 35,000 people from the non-speaking countries participated in the online poll, including 3500 votes from China.
Below are 50 of the most beautiful English words out of a total of 70. They are arranged from the most to the fewest votes.
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Mother
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Passion
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Smile
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Love
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Eternity
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Fantastic
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Destiny
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Freedom
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Liberty
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Tranquility
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Peace
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Blossom
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Sunshine
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Sweetheart
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Gorgeous
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Cherish
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Enthusiasm
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Hope
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Grace
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Rainbow
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Blue
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Sunflower
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Twinkle
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Serendipity
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Bliss
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Lullaby
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Sophisticated
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Renaissance
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Cute
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Cosy
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Butterfly
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Galaxy
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Hilarious
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Moment
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Extravaganza
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Aqua
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Sentiment
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Cosmopolitan
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Bubble
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Pumpkin
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Banana
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Lollipop
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If
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Bumblebee
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Giggle
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Paradox
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Delicacy
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Peek-a-boo
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Umbrella
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Kangaroo
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User Comments
Alexa Gates
On February 21, 2008 at 3:21 pm
these are beautiful words!
Judy Sheldon
On February 21, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Outstanding job. These are some of my favorite words too, and beautiful illustrations. Thank you.
b. radley
On February 22, 2008 at 6:30 am
beautiful article. thank you.
Anne Lyken-Garner
On February 22, 2008 at 9:04 am
The illustrations go very well with your chosen words. Good job.
Joe50342
On February 22, 2008 at 10:51 am
Nice article.
have not any
On February 22, 2008 at 11:36 am
i dont think this are even near but when they said beautiful what did they really meant what kind of beauty word meaning feeling it depends on so many things
valli
On February 22, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Great article! Wonderful pictures.
IcyCucky
On March 4, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Very creative article..
Jo
On March 9, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Wow, beautiful pictures and words.
Fantastic.
Liane Schmidt
On March 12, 2008 at 10:28 am
I love your articles Chan. They just get better and better. It’s like seeing the world through your eyes when you add pictures as well. This article warmed my heart through and through – it was a wonderful way to start my day and it helps get my creative energy flowing so thank you!
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
zach
On May 22, 2008 at 2:09 pm
I dont see how “if” is a beautiful word.
j r r tolkien
On June 1, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I think it’s “cellar door”.
Grace
On June 6, 2008 at 6:07 am
I really like it , and the 50 words also are my favorite.
laraina
On July 19, 2008 at 3:55 am
zach- some people are so oppressed they don’t have anything that stands for possiblitiy in their culture. if means possibility and hoping for something, probablly something better. we can talk about our possibilities whenever we want in our language.
jrr tolken-somebody’s seen donnie darko
Himanshu Gupta
On September 12, 2008 at 1:05 am
This is so Fantastic………..
Susan
On September 22, 2008 at 10:08 am
I am English-speaking only and find this article fascinating…
dave
On October 22, 2008 at 8:48 am
My vote goes to ‘Willow’, it has to be the most beautiful word in the english language. Earlier suggestions have been cellar door, windowsill and others…;)
Kim
On November 11, 2008 at 1:07 am
what about the words beautiful and beauty?
Brian
On December 2, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Please don’t discard ‘mercy’, ‘forgiveness’, ‘grace’ and ’salvation’! And what of ‘prayer’ and ‘thanksgiving’?
Laura
On January 6, 2009 at 6:37 am
I found out about this article from my English teacher and I was very happy to read it.It is absolutely fantastic to be able to read it.And people who don’t understand the meanings of these words shouldn’t read it.Great work!!!!
buttercup
On February 26, 2009 at 9:24 am
willow, mercy, thansgiving – all good
How about: discovery, eureka, shower, gift, mist, dandelion, tulip, gentle, faraway, castle, cornucopia, dove, aurora, loyal, foliage, Epicurian, paradise, earth, starlight, blueberry, honeydew
and
I have one more: diarrhea – a beautiful sounding word for something disgusting
Jessica
On April 4, 2009 at 5:21 pm
i loveddd;
lullaby, delicasy, and twinkle.
add in;
grace, prayer, cherish, beauty.
chrlish sounds
On July 6, 2009 at 7:51 pm
captive love
Daniell
On July 30, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I’m a non-native speaker and in my opinion latin derived words is the best ones and almost always sounds more beautiful to me than germanic derived words.
greenlight228
On August 14, 2009 at 5:10 pm
i really like these words they are fantastic
Hollister
On October 24, 2009 at 11:13 am
one of my favorite words: credenza
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