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The Six Longest Words in English

Get creative with the six longest words from beautiful English.

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English, oh, pretty belle! A language with texture and form. It flows, it grows and it evolves unlike any other. Perhaps that is why it is the major language of commerce, Web design and travel. Originating from a tiny province of Holland, the language has grown beyond believe producing fruit that is sweet and tubers that are long. These are the six longest words in English; well worth trying out in your Triond articles if you dare. Using them would sure keep the language alive and the reader tongue tied for minutes. Consider bookmarking or printing this page for fun. 

1. Lopado­temakho­selakho­galeo­Karin­leipsano­drim­hypo­trimmato­silphio­karabo­melito­katakekhy­meno­kikhl­epi­kossypho­phatto­perister­alektryon­opto­kephallio­kigklo­peleio­lagōio­siraio­baphē­tragano­pterýgōn

 Translated from Greek, and also vast in its’ original state, this is a, “made-up,” dish, mentioned in the comedy by Aristophanes, “Assembly Women.” This hilarious treat is fried dogfish heads, thrush all smeared with honey. It is doubtful anyone has ever created it, but for the game, why not try it in today’s culinary adventure-land? It has 183 letters but is found only in the prints of the play not in any dictionary. 

2. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis 

This is the longest word in the Oxford English Dictionary, with 45 letters. If you stand near a volcano and breathe in it’s dust you will probably fall sick with this condition. It’s a disease and it affects the lungs after microscopic particles are inhaled. It’s a nasty one and naturally has no cure. Aeroplanes flying over Indonesia often get a mechanical version, when they fly through the clouds of active volcanoes, in that archipelago. 

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3. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism 

Known also as PseudoPHP 1a, this is another grisly-affliction. A technical and medical word it is 30 letters long. It is a hormonal disorder inherited, from your mum, but don’t worry, it is rare. It comes with a bevvy of associated disorders, such as short stature and weak immunity, etc. Tongue-tiedness is also another affliction with this gem of a word. 

4. Floccinaucinihilipilification 

This word is 29 letters long, translating roughly as, “estimating something to be worthless.”  An example would be, “He took his mother’s vase into the antique dealer who pooh-poohed it with floccinaucinihilipilification, telling him to leave.” If anyone, “disses,” you then they are doing it. 

5. Antidisestablishmentarianism

 Everybodies favourite, often cited as the longest, with 28 letters. Also, “antidisestablishmentarianism.com,” is a very simple, effective Web site that took the Internet by storm. It translates roughly as, “going against the removal of church or state control.” A great example would of it would be the restoration of the Monarchy in France after the French Revolution except for one fatal flaw, they installed Napoleon as Emperor, not King. It is a great point scorer if you use it in Scrabble. 

6. Honorificabilitudinitatibus 

Technically, not English, but used by William Shakespeare’s character, Costard, in, “Love’s Labour’s Lost.” It means being in a state to receive honours. A great example would be, “She graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Science, with honours, and was honorificabilitudinitatibus the day of receiving her degree.” It is more of an ode to William Shakespeare’s pure creativity with the lingo that counts it as English. 27 letters long.

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Conclusion

English is a fluid language. These words are perfectly acceptable in the right context. A writer should attempt to use them more, if only to keep English vivid and alive. My favourite is the volcano disease one, as it can be used so well in context. Whatever words you choose, you should always consider using these words, the six longest words in English.

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  1. ken bultman

    On August 6, 2009 at 11:30 am


    O, no. Any word longer than my tongue doesn’t get uttered.

  2. Goblins09

    On August 6, 2009 at 3:03 pm


    excellent they are pretty long words, I’m now trying to figure out which one I can use in my next article :) thanks

  3. Alistair Briggs

    On August 6, 2009 at 3:20 pm


    Here’s another one for you;

    Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch.
    (a village in Anglesey. lol)

    Great article by the way :)

  4. Daisy Peasblossom

    On August 6, 2009 at 11:49 pm


    Fun article. I knew number five from my college days; the rest were new to me.

  5. shaun simpson

    On August 7, 2009 at 1:50 am


    they don’t exactly flow off your tongue! interesting, fun article though

  6. Ruby Hawk

    On August 14, 2009 at 8:13 pm


    They are all several mouthfulls especially the first one.

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