14 of the Longest Words in English

Are you intrigued by lengthy words in the English language? In this article, we’ll explore 14 of the longest English words that will amaze you. These words, which range from amusingly long to downright mind-boggling, showcase the breadth and flexibility of the language.

You’ll discover words that have made their way into dictionaries, as well as lesser-known terms that continue to challenge even the most experienced linguists. Unravel the meaning, origin, and context behind these intriguing long words as you expand your vocabulary and appreciation for the English language.

Ready to dive into these extraordinary lexical creations? Let’s begin!

The Longest Words In English Language

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

This 45-letter word refers to a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica particles found in volcanic ash. This word emerged in the late 1930s and is said to have been invented by Everett K. Smith, the National Puzzlers’ League president.

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism

Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism is an inherited disorder that closely resembles pseudohypoparathyroidism in its symptoms but without the abnormal calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood.

This condition affects the body’s responsiveness to certain hormones that regulate calcium and phosphorus.

Floccinaucinihilipilification

This 29-letter word means the act of deeming something to be of little or no value. This word has its roots in Latin words that mean “of little or no value.” 

Antidisestablishmentarianism

Antidisestablishmentarianism is a political ideology that opposes the separation of a church and state, specifically referring to the Church of England.

This concept gained prominence in the 19th century when there was a push for disestablishment or the removal of the church’s official status.

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a whimsical word made popular by the 1964 film Mary Poppins and is often used as a playful synonym for extraordinarily good or wonderful experiences.

It is not a technical term, but its inclusion in popular culture has solidified it as an example of a long English word.

Incomprehensibilities

Incomprehensibilities refers to things that are difficult or impossible to understand. This word is derived from “incomprehensible,” an adjective conveying a similar meaning.

In the English language, it often represents concepts or ideas that challenge our understanding or seem beyond comprehension.

Strengths

A 9-letter word that holds the title of the longest English word with one vowel. It refers to the quality or state of being physically strong, a common and easily understood term.

Euouae

This 6-letter word represents a medieval musical term describing a sequence of vowels. It is considered the longest English word consisting only of vowels, and also the word with the most consecutive vowels.

Unimaginatively

This is a cool word because it has eight vowels, even counting the ‘y’ at the end. The vowels and consonants take turns showing up in the word. But, it’s not the longest word that hasthis alternating thing.

Honorificabilitudinitatibus

This 27-letter word, used by Shakespeare in his play Love’s Labour’s Lost, means the state of being able to achieve honors. Its appearance in literary works showcases the flexibility and adaptability of the English language.

Tsktsk

A 6-letter word, “tsktsk” is an example of the longest English word containing no vowels. It is an onomatopoeic term expressing disapproval or annoyance.

Uncopyrightable

This 15-letter word refers to something that cannot be protected by copyright. It is notable for being the longest English word with no repeated letters.

Subdermatoglyphic

With 17 letters, “subdermatoglyphic” refers to the underlying dermal matrix that determines the pattern of one’s fingerprints. It is another example of a long word with no repeating letters.

Sesquipedalianism

A 19-letter term alluding to a tendency to use long words, “sesquipedalianism” displays a self-referential irony, as it is itself among the longest words in English.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common long words in English?

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, a 34-letter word, is famously known from Mary Poppins. Incomprehensibilities (21 letters) was recognized as the longest common word in the 1990s. Another example is pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism, a 30-letter medical term.

How do you pronounce the longest word in English?

The longest word in English is the chemical name for titin, a protein, with 189,819 letters. Pronouncing it is quite a challenge, considering it would take about 3 hours to say entirely. Generally, it starts with “Methionyl…”

What is the second longest word in the English language?

The second-longest word in English is pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a 45-letter medical term describing a lung disease caused by breathing in fine silicate or quartz dust.

What is the meaning of lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanopterygon?

Lopadotemachoselachogaleokranioleipsanopterygon is a 52-letter fictional word from ancient Greek literature. It refers to a dish made of various ingredients including fish, meat, and vegetables. However, this word is not considered part of the English language.

What word takes 3 hours to say?

The chemical name for titin, the largest known protein, has 189,819 letters and takes approximately 3 hours to pronounce fully. It holds the record for the longest word in the English language.

What is the 189,819-letter word for titin?

The 189,819-letter word for titin is an extremely long chemical name representing the protein’s full structure. Due to its excessive length, the word is usually shortened to “titin” in scientific and medical conversations.