English Learning Community and Resources

As a student of languages, one of the first tactics of kick-starting learning may be to study the list of the hundred or five hundred most used words in your target language. Eventually, you’ll have a good base in vocabulary, and you can start speaking and writing some basic sentences. But languages get much more exciting and intricate when you pass the ‘basic knowledge stage’. And that is where this article comes in! 
 
In this article, you will find twelve advanced English words that, when learning them, will deepen your understanding of the English language and eventually allow you to be a better conversationalist, reader and listener in English. 

Let’s get started: 

1. "Capricious"
   This word describes someone who or something that is unpredictable. So, you could say that your brother is capricious if his temperament changes rapidly, but the weather, for example, could also be capricious.  
   
   

2. "Ephemeral"
   This is one of my personal favourite English words. You would use this word when talking about something very short-lived or fleeting. This word is often used in the context of life, the stages of life, and living beings. But it could just as well be used in other contexts, like a fever or a rain shower. 
    

3. "Draconian"
   This word refers to someone or something very harsh or ruthless. A person could be draconian, but rules and regulations could also be draconian. The word draconian derives from the word 'Draco,' an Ancient Greek law scribe who heavily punished minor offences.  
   
   

4. "Anthropomorphise" 
   This word refers to attributing human qualities in appearance, character or behaviour to an animal or an object. For instance, Beatrix Potter, who you learnt about in our latest blog [LINK], anthropomorphized animals in her stories.  
    
   Source: Wikimedia Commons  

5. "Garrulous" 
   This word describes someone who is very talkative, often about trivial things. Being garrulous is seen as a negative trait, as a person who typically talks too much and frequently interrupts people. 

6. "Equanimity" 
   This word refers to the character trait of being calm and composed, even in a stressful situation. You can also work on creating more equanimity as a person by, for instance, meditating or practising yoga. 
   
   

7. "Obsequious" 
   This word refers to having a quality of excessive obedience or eagerness to please. As such, a person could be obsequious, but a gesture, like a smile, could also be.  
    
   

8. "Facetious" 
   This word is used when someone is treating a serious matter with an inappropriate sense of humour for the situation at hand. A person being facetious typically doesn't mean what they are saying, as they are trying to be funny or clever. 
   
   

9. "Iconoclast" 
   This word refers to a person who openly opposes or attacks a set of beliefs or institutions. Another word for an iconoclast is a sceptic or a critic. The word could be used in a positive sense as well as a negative sense.  

10. "Pernicious" 
    This word describes something or someone having a very harmful effect, especially in a not easily noticeable way. An example of this could be that the impact of air pollution is pernicious to human health.   
    
    

11. "Intrepid" 
    You use this word when you are speaking about someone who or something that is acting in a fearless, brave or very adventurous manner. For instance, a singer who auditions on Britain's Got Talent could be intrepid.   
    
    Source: pexels 

12. "Paragon" 
    This word refers to a thing or a person that is as good as perfect or has a substantial amount of a particularly virtuous characteristic. As an example, you might say that Mother Theresa is the paragon of charity.