Last Updated: Dec 30, 2019
How many words exactly are in the English language? The second edition of the current 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary contains 171,476 words in current use. That’s a lot! Which gets the mind thinking the next question, what’s the longest word in current use today?
Many of the longest words in thedictionaryrefer to medicineor chemistry. You’ll find a few defined in here along with other long words that you may or may not already use. Here’s how Merriam-Webster defines the ten longest words in the English language.
1. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters)
Pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of very fine silicate or quartz dust.
2. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (36 letters)
Ironically, Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia is one of the longest work in the dictionary and is the name for a fear of long words! Who would have thought, right?
3. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters)
Perhaps the best word of all! Made popular by the film Mary Poppins, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is something to say when you have nothing to say.
4. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters)
Arelatively mild form of pseudohypoparathyroidism that is characterized by normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood.
5. Floccinaucinihilipilification (29 letters)
The longest unchallenged nontechnical word that not all directories recognize, that including Merriam-Webster. According to alternative sources, floccinaucinihilipilification is the act or habit of describing or regarding something as unimportant, of having no value or being worthless. Often times, it is used in a humorous way.
6. Antidisestablishmentarianism (28 letters)
A term referring to a political movement in 19th century Britain that sought to separate church and state. In this case, political movement wanted to disestablish the Church of England as the official state church of England, Ireland and Wales.
7. Honorificabilitudinitatibus (27 letters)
The longest word in Shakespeare’s works.Honorificabilitudinitatibus is the longest word in the English language featuring alternating consonants and vowels.
8. Thyroparathyroidectomized (25 letters)
A medical term that defines the excision of both the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
9. Dichlorodifluoromethane (23 letters)
A chlorofluoromethane CF2Cl2.
10. Incomprehensibilities (21 letters)
Impossible to comprehend. In the 1990’s, incomprehensibilities set the record as the longest word “in common usage.”
LONGEST ENGLISH WORD:Methionylthreonylthreonylglutaminylarginyl…isoleucine (189,819 letters)
If we’re talking chemistry, the longest chemical name is 189,819 letters long. It is the chemical name for titin, a giant filamentous protein essential to the structure, development, and elasticity of muscle. As to whether or not this is an actual word is disputed by many. It is not in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, so you shouldn’t ever have to worry about spelling it. ?
As a language enthusiast with a deep passion for linguistics and a comprehensive understanding of the English language, I am excited to delve into the fascinating realm of words and their intricacies. My extensive knowledge in this domain is rooted in a voracious appetite for linguistic exploration and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in lexicography.
Now, let's unravel the rich tapestry of the English language as showcased in the provided article. The piece delves into the world of words, particularly focusing on the lengthiest ones and their meanings. Here's a breakdown of the concepts discussed:
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Word Count in the English Language: The article begins by posing the question of how many words exist in the English language. The answer, according to the second edition of the Oxford English Dictionary as of December 30, 2019, is 171,476 words in current use. This figure emphasizes the vast and dynamic nature of the English lexicon.
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Longest Words in the English Language: The article proceeds to highlight some of the longest words in the English language along with their definitions. Notably:
- Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis (45 letters): Refers to pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of very fine silicate or quartz dust.
- Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia (36 letters): Ironically, it denotes the fear of long words.
- Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (34 letters): Popularized by the film Mary Poppins, it is a whimsical word used when there's nothing else to say.
- Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism (30 letters): Describes a relatively mild form of pseudohypoparathyroidism.
- Floccinaucinihilipilification (29 letters): Suggests the act of regarding something as unimportant or worthless.
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Historical and Technical Terms: The article introduces words with historical and technical significance:
- Antidisestablishmentarianism (28 letters): Relates to a political movement in 19th century Britain advocating the separation of church and state.
- Honorificabilitudinitatibus (27 letters): The longest word in Shakespeare’s works, featuring alternating consonants and vowels.
- Thyroparathyroidectomized (25 letters): A medical term describing the excision of both the thyroid and parathyroid glands.
- Dichlorodifluoromethane (23 letters): A chlorofluoromethane with chemical formula CF2Cl2.
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Record-Breaking and Uncommon Words:
- Incomprehensibilities (21 letters): Notably labeled as the longest word "in common usage" during the 1990s.
- Methionylthreonylthreonylglutaminylarginyl…isoleucine (189,819 letters): Although disputed as an actual word, it is the chemical name for titin, a protein crucial to muscle structure.
In conclusion, this exploration of the English language's expansive lexicon showcases its diversity, ranging from everyday words to highly specialized and lengthy terms in various fields. The article provides a glimpse into the linguistic marvels that contribute to the richness of our language. If you have any further inquiries or wish to explore more linguistic wonders, feel free to ask!
