50 Rare Words That Are Useful to Know 10.

CONUNDRUM (noun) Example: "My grandfather's battle with

Alzheimer's galvanized me, leading me to
choose medicine as a career."
1. ACCISMUS (noun) If you run into a problem that doesn’t have a
clear solution or an obvious correct answer,
you can call it a conundrum. This is a good 20. Imperious (adjective)
Accismus is a useful term for pretending to be word to have on hand when you’re writing a
disinterested in something when you actually research paper.
want it. Pull this word out when you see If you need to describe a person or thing that
someone acting like he doesn’t want the last is bossy and domineering for no good reason,
donut. Example: "The challenge of how to teach use the word imperious. It’s ideal for personal
children with different learning styles essays about siblings.
presents a conundrum for educators."
Example: "I know you want that donut. You're
just displaying accismus by pretending you Example: "Despite being the youngest and
don't." 11. Credulity (noun) smallest person in the house, my little sister is
imperious and insists on telling everyone
what to do."
2. ACUMEN (noun) Do you know someone who is gullible or
willing to believe things without proof? Use
the word credulity to describe this character 21. Impetus (noun)
If you can easily make decisions or learn trait. You’ll also find this useful in essays,
important things, you are displaying acumen. especially about critical thinking.
This positive word is a great term to use when Something that makes something else happen
paying someone a compliment. is an impetus. You can use this word in many
Example: "He had a tendency to believe types of writing - from speeches to persuasive
everything he read online, and this credulity essays.
Example: "His legal acumen makes him likely got him into trouble when he tried to discuss
to win the court case." politics with his in-laws."
Example: "The number of children coming to
school hungry served as the school's impetus
3. Anachronistic (adjective) 12. Crepuscular (adjectives) for creating a free breakfast program."

When something doesn’t fit with its historical You know how some animals are nocturnal 22. Insouciant (adjective)
context, it’s anachronistic. This is a great and some are diurnal, but what about animals
word to use when writing history papers or like deer that are active during dawn and
talking about your favorite historical dramas. dusk? These animals are crepuscular. Someone who is very calm and doesn’t seem
Pull it out when you point out the soda can in bothered by the concerns of daily life can be
the background of a period movie. described as insouciant. This is a great
Example: "Gerbils are crepuscular, so they positive word to use in a variety of situations.
can serve as an alarm clock if you keep them
Example: "Your drawing of Abraham Lincoln in the bedroom."
talking on an iPhone is charmingly Example: "The rain began to fall, but she
anachronistic." turned her face up to it with the insouciant joy
13. Edify (verb) of someone who doesn't mind forgetting an
umbrella."
4. Anthropomorphize (verb)
Some things serve to build people up in a
moral or intellectual sense. When you write or 23. Interlocutor (noun)
When someone gives human characteristics to speak about something like this, use the verb
something inanimate, that person is edify.
anthropomorphizing that thing. From When you’re describing the participants of a
personification in literature to your brother conversation, you’re talking about the
making his stuffed animals talk, this is a Example: "John tried to use his free time to interlocutors. It’s a handy word for talking
useful and unusual word to know. edify himself, reading any book he could get about discussions.
his hands on."
Example: "When my brother Example: "The interlocutors paused their
anthropomorphized the Thanksgiving turkey 14. Effete (adjective) conversation and turned to look as she walked
and pretended to make it wave to us, into the room."
everyone laughed." Sometime, you meet someone or encounter
something that is overly refined - even to the 24. Lionize (verb)
5. Apricate (verb) point of uselessness. That thing is effete.
This awesome positive L word is a verb you
A beautiful and uncommon word based on a Example: "Her beautifully manicured nails can use to talk about celebrities and
Latin term, apricate means to bask in the were an effete affectation, getting in the way important historical figures and the way
sunshine. Pull this gem out when you’re every time she tried to type." people view them. Lionize means to treat
commenting on your cat’s behavior or writing someone as a hero.
about your last trip to the beach. 15. Egregious (adjective)
Example: "In the North, people began to
Example: "The cat lay apricating on the back lionize Abraham Lincoln soon after his
Use egregious to describe something that is assassination."
of the couch near the window." really extraordinary but negative at the same
time. It comes in handy for writing or talking
6. Bastion (noun) about people breaking important laws or 25. Melange (noun)
rules.
A bastion is a place that is well-defended, but Anything that is a mixture of seemingly
it can also be used to describe an institution Example: "His refusal to stop at the stop sign unrelated things is a melange. You can use
or person who holds firm to principles. Use it in front of our house is such an egregious this in the abstract to talk about apparently
when talking or writing about social driving error that I called the police." unrelated qualities or ideas.
institutions, politics, news organizations, and
more. 16. Eschew (verb) Example: "His room was a melange of toy
cars, books, tennis shoes, and collected
Example: "The city library was a bastion to rocks."
If you’re trying to stay away from something
the importance of books." on purpose, you are eschewing that thing. This
is useful when talking about intentional 26. Metanoia (noun)
7. Behoove (verb) choices in personal essays.
When you’re talking about a fundamental
You can use behoove as a verb that means to Example: "I'm eschewing all social media shift in how someone sees something, you’re
be necessary or appropriate for something during the election season." talking about metanoia. This is a great
else. It comes in handy when telling someone unusual word to use in essays.
why they should do something or when 17. Fatuous (adjective)
writing a persuasive essay. Example: "The conquering country required
complete metanoia from those it ruled; they
Sometimes you need to describe someone or must believe in the ideals of the rulers, not
Example: "It would behoove the students to something that is foolish or silly. That’s a
learn the vocabulary terms before the test just pay lip service."
great time to use the word fatuous.
next week."
27. Myriad (noun)
Example: "The clown wore large shoes and a
8. Burgeon (verb) red nose and was generally fatuous."
When you need to talk about a lot of
When you’re talking about something that is something, especially diverse elements of a
18. Fractious (adjective) larger whole, use the uncommon word
growing noticeably, you might say that it is
burgeoning. You can use this term literally or myriad. It’s surprisingly useful in daily
figuratively. If something is difficult to control and conversations too.
generally bad-tempered, you can describe it as
fractious. This is useful when talking about
Example: "With the arrival of spring, buds cranky children or animals. Example: "There was no single reason she
burgeoned on the tree branches." decided to move across the country; a myriad
of factors influenced her choice."
Example: "On the third day of the car trip, the
9. Convivial (adjective) children became fractious, bickering over
who had more space in the back seat." 28. Noisome (adjective)
Use this great adjective to describe someone
or something that is great company. You can If you need to describe something that is
19. Galvanize (verb) harmful or really annoying to the point of
use convivial to pay a compliment to a group
of people or use it to describe a gathering you near harm, use the word noisome. It’s also
enjoyed. Another great essay word, galvanize means to ideal for describing something that smells
stimulate someone to act. Certain life events bad.
or situations can inspire other actions and
Example: "As the evening wore on, the events, and they are perfect for this word.
atmosphere at the cafe became more Example: "The cooler of fish, forgotten in the
convivial with people breaking off into small trunk of the car, began to emit a noisome odor
groups for conversation." after a few days."
29. Obfuscate (verb) Example: "The boys were true rapscallions, Example: "The faux bois paint effect on the
setting off fireworks behind Mr. Smith's wall had such incredible verisimilitude that
motorcycle so he would think it was everyone thought it was actually made of
Have you ever seen someone make something backfiring." wood."
more confusing than it needs to be? That
person is obfuscating a concept.
39. Sagacious (adjective) 49. VISCERAL (adjective)
Example: "While making bread is really a very
simple process, his explanation of the Know someone who is wise and always uses Have you ever felt something so deeply that it
different types of yeast and flour served to great judgement? That person is sagacious. affected you on an emotional level? You had a
obfuscate the concept." visceral reaction to that thing.
Example: "When the stock market crashed
30. Odious (adjective) after a long period of ups and downs, he Example: "She had a visceral reaction to
appeared sagacious for having invested in violence in movies and had to walk out of the
gold and silver." theater many times over the years."
The word odious is ideal when you need to
describe something that is horrible and
unpleasant, even disgusting. Think of it as a 40. Sanguine (adjective) 50. ZEUGMA (noun)
more extreme and vivid version of
“obnoxious.”
Another great adjective to use to describe A figure of speech in which one word has a
someone is sanguine. It refers to a person who double meaning within a sentence, zeugma is
Example: "With his sweaty t-shirt exposing six is cheerful and confident. a useful term for language arts papers. An
inches of his midsection and his politically example of this would be, “He stole my heart
offensive baseball cap, the odious man did not and my car.”
seem like a good suitor." Example: "Even the icy rain and strong wind
could not affect her sanguine disposition."
Example: "In a statement of zeugma, she said
31. Ostensibly (adverb) she liked her men like she liked her tea:
41. Serendipity (noun) sweet, strong, and fragrant."
Sometimes, something appears to be true, but
Have you ever experienced a happy accident,
it may not be. That thing is ostensibly true.
such as finding a lost $20 bill in your pocket OTHER TERMS
right when you needed it? That’s serendipity.
Example: "Sam was ostensibly going to the
grocery store, but even his wife knew he was ABERRATION: a state or condition markedly
really meeting his girlfriend." Example: "It turned out to be serendipity different from the norm
when he missed his flight and had to wait for
hours in the airport bar, since this is where he
32. Paucity (noun) met his future wife." ABHOR: feel hatred or disgust toward

When something is scarce, there is a paucity 42. Solipsist (noun) ACQUIESCE: agree or express agreement
of it. This is a good and uncommon word that
is extremely useful when talking about a lack ALACRITY: liveliness and eagerness
of evidence for a claim. Do you know someone who is extremely self-
absorbed and doesn’t think about the
perspectives or needs of others? That person AMIABLE: diffusing warmth and friendliness
Example: "The number of people who text and is a solipsist.
drive shows there is a paucity of common
sense in the modern world." APPEASE: make peace with
Example: "Adam was a solipsist and was not
particularly concerned with whether his
33. PENULTIMATE (adjective) family would enjoy camping with him in sub- ARCANE: requiring secret or mysterious
zero temperatures." knowledge

It’s easy to describe the first thing and the last

thing, but what about the second to the last 43. Synecdoche (noun) AVARICE: reprehensible acquisitiveness;
thing in a series? That thing is the insatiable desire for wealth
penultimate.
A synecdoche is a figure of speech that uses a
part to represent a whole. You’ll find these are BRAZEN: not held back by conventional ideas
Example: "Someone will always take the surprisingly common, making this a useful of behavior
penultimate slice of pizza, but everyone is word to know. Some synecdoche examples
afraid to take the last slice for fear someone include “head” to represent cattle, “wheels” to BRUSQUE: rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or
else may want it." talk about a car, and “Kleenex” to represent manner
tissues.
34. Pernicious (adjective) CAJOLE: influence or urge by gentle urging,
Example: "She referred to all lip balm as caressing, or flattering
'Chapstick,' unaware that this was
Some habits or actions are especially synecdoche."
destructive, even to the point of being deadly. CALLOUS: emotionally hardened
These things are described as pernicious.
44. Timorous (adjective)
CANDOR: the quality of being honest and
Example: "Smoking cigarettes is a pernicious straightforward
habit that causes lung cancer." Someone who is scared, fearful, or simply shy
may be described as timorous. This is useful
term when writing narratives and describing CHIDE: scold or reprimand severely or
35. Perspicacious (adjective) characters. angrily

If you need to pay someone a compliment for CIRCUMSPECT: careful to consider potential
their good judgement and clear thinking, you Example: "Aidan was a timorous child,
darting into his bedroom at the first sign of consequences and avoid risk
can describe that person as perspicacious. It’s
visitors."
a great word that is as rare as it is positive.
COERCE: cause to do through pressure or
45. Ubiquitous (adjective) necessity
Example: "His perspicacious good sense gave
him the advantage in the orienteering
contest." Another really useful word that isn’t common COHERENT: marked by an orderly and
is ubiquitous. It means something that is consistent relation of parts
everywhere at the same time.
36. Philistine (noun)
COMPLACENCY: the feeling you have when
Example: "Cell phones are now ubiquitous you are satisfied with yourself
Calling someone a philistine is less of a with everyone from elementary children to
compliment. It means a person who is closed-
senior citizens using them." CONFIDANT: someone to whom private
minded and doesn’t care about the culture
and values around him or her. matters are told
46. Uhtceare (noun)
Example: "When it comes to breakfast, Jason CONNIVE: form intrigues (for) in an
is a philistine who drinks instant coffee and Do you wake up before dawn and feel underhand manner
eats Frosted Flakes right out of the box." anxious? That moment and experience is
described by the Old English word uhtceare. CUMULATIVE: increasing by successive
37. Prevaricate (verb) addition
Example: "On the morning of his surgery, he
awoke with a severe case of uhtceare." DEBASE: corrupt morally or by intemperance
Ever need to describe someone who won’t give
a straight answer to a question or who tends or sensuality
to dance around a topic without directly 47. Ultracrepidarian (noun)
addressing it? That person is prevaricating. DECRY: express strong disapproval of
If a person offers opinions that extend beyond
Example: "When her mother asked about the his or her knowledge, that person is an DEFERENTIAL: showing courteous regard for
last time she'd seen her boyfriend, Stella ultracrepidarian. This is a useful word for people's feelings
began to prevaricate, talking about school, the narratives and character descriptions.
latest movies, and what she should wear to
prom." DEMURE: shy or modest, often in a playful or
Example: "He was an ultracreidarian, provocative way
rambling on about the politics of the time in a
38. Rapscallion (noun) nearly incoherent way."
DERIDE: treat or speak of with contempt
Some people are just extremely playful and 48. Verisimilitude (noun)
full of mischief. If you need to describe them DESPOT: a cruel and oppressive dictator
in an essay or other work, call them
rapscallions. When something looks like the real thing, it
has verisimilitude. A great example of this DILIGENT: quietly and steadily persevering in
would be vinyl flooring that looks like stone. detail or exactness
 ELATED: exultantly proud and joyful; in high ENTHRALL: hold spellbound Active and Passive Voice Rules For All Tenses:
spirits
EPHEMERAL: anything short-lived, as an 1. Simple Present/ Past/ Future Tense
ELOQUENT: expressing yourself readily, insect that lives only for a day
clearly, effectively
Active: Subject + V1/ V2/ will V1/ shall V1 +
LAMENT: a cry of sorrow and grief object…
EMBEZZLE: appropriate fraudulently to one's
own use
PALIMPSEST: a manuscript on which more Passive: Object + Is/are/am/was/were/will
than one text has been written be/shall be + verb (III forms) + by + subject…
This time, the amount of money allegedly
embezzled was raised more than ten-fold and
the charges made much more severe. SIBILANT: of speech sounds forcing air 2. Present/ Past Continuous Tense
through a constricted passage
Active: Subject + Is/are/am/was/were + verb
EMPATHY: understanding and entering into (ing) + object…
another's feelings THRALL: the state of being under the control
of another person
Passive: Object + Is/are/am/was/were + being +
ENMITY: a state of deep-seated ill-will verb (III from) + by + subject…
WRETCHED: deserving or inciting pity

ERUDITE: having or showing profound

knowledge WREAK: cause to happen or to occur as a 3. Present/ Past/ Future Perfect Tense
consequence
Active: Subject + has/have/had/shall have/will
EXTOL: praise, glorify, or honor have + verb (IIIrd form) + object…
LYRIC: of or relating to poetry that expresses
emotion
FABRICATE: make up something artificial or
untrue Passive: Object + has/have/had/shall have/will
KENNING: a compound word serving as a have + been + verb (IIIrd form) + by + subject…
metaphorical name for something
FLABBERGASTED: as if struck dumb with
astonishment and surprise NOTE: Generally, there is no voice change
LITOTES: understatement for rhetorical with Present Perfect Continuous, Past Perfect
effect Continuous, Future Continuous, or Future
FORSAKE: leave someone who needs or Perfect Continuous.
counts on you; leave in the lurch
THANE: a feudal lord or baron
4. Interrogative Sentences
FURTIVE: secret and sly
EARL: a British peer ranking below a
marquess and above a viscount Present and Past Tense: Structure 1:
GLUTTONY: habitual eating to excess
WYRD: fate personified; any one of the three Active: Do/does/did + subject + V1 + object….?
GRATUITOUS: unnecessary and unwarranted Weird Sisters

Passive: Is/are/am/was/were + object + V3 + by

HAUGHTY: having or showing arrogant DOOM: an unpleasant or disastrous destiny + subject….?
superiority
FIEND: an evil supernatural being Structure 2:
HYPOCRISY: pretending to have qualities or
beliefs that you do not have
Active: Is/are/a/was/were + subject + verb (ing)
+ object…?
IMPECCABLE: without error or flaw
Active & Passive Voice
Passive: Is/are/am/was/were + object + being +
IMPERTINENT: improperly forward or bold verb (III from) + by + subject…?
Active and Passive voice is a particularly
IMPUDENT: improperly forward or bold essential grammatical structure used in the
English language. Understanding the rules Structure 3:
governing their usage is crucial for effective
INDOLENT: disinclined to work or exertion communication. In this article, we will delve Active: Has/have/had + subject + verb (IIIrd
into the fundamentals of the active and form) + object…
INEPT: generally incompetent and ineffectual passive voice. we will also explore the usage,
rules, and conversion of Active and Passive
voices. The English Language is utterly Passive: Has/have/had + object + been + verb
INFAMY: a state of extreme dishonor essential for all competitive exams, and you (IIIrd form) + by + subject…
must understand the significance of the Voice
INHIBIT: limit the range or extent of section if you are preparing for one. Structure 4:

INNATE: present at birth but not necessarily Voice of a verb Active: Who + verb (s or es)/verb (IInd form) +
object…?
hereditary
The voice of a verb is the form of the verb that
INSATIABLE: impossible to fulfill, appease, or indicates whether the subject of the sentence Passive: By whom + is/are/am/was/were +
gratify is performing the action or the subject is object + verb (IIIrd form)?
receiving the action. In the English Language,
INSULAR: narrowly restricted in outlook or verbs can be classified into two types of voices Structure 5:
scope – Active voice and Passive voice.
Active: Wh-question word + do/does/did +
INTREPID: invulnerable to fear or There are Two Basic Kinds of Voice in English subject + verb (I form) + object…?
intimidation Grammar:
Passive: Wh-question word +
EXCAVATE: recover through digging When the subject of the sentence performs Is/are/am/was/were + object + verb (III from) +
the action expressed by the verb then it is by + subject…?
Active Voice.
MASON: a craftsman who works with stone or
brick Future Tense: Structure 1:
For Example: “Nisha ate the apple”. Here
“Nisha” is the subject performing the
GALLOWS: an instrument from which a action”ate”. Active: Shall/ will + subject + verb (Ist form) +
person is executed by hanging object….?

When the subject of the sentence receives the Passive: Is/are/am Shall/ will + object + be +
ACCORD: concurrence of opinion action expressed by the verb or is acted upon verb (IIIrd form) + by + subject….?
then it is Passive Voice.
SANGUINE: confidently optimistic and
cheerful Structure 2:
For Example: “The apple was eaten by Nisha.”
Here, ” The apple” is the subject receiving the
BEREFT: lacking or deprived of something action “was eaten”. Active: Shall/ will + subject + have + verb (IIIrd
form) + object…
BLANCH: turn pale, as if in fear “Active voice defines that the subject is doing
the action and the passive voice refers to that Passive: Shall/ will + object + have + been +
the subject is being acted upon.” verb (IIIrd form) + by + subject…
BLITHE: carefree and happy and lighthearted
Structure 3:
BRIAR: Eurasian rose with prickly stems and Active And Passive Voice Rules
fragrant leaves and bright pink flowers For Conversion :
followed by scarlet hips Active: Who + Shall/ will + V1 + object…?

CAESURA: a break or pause in the middle of a The object of the active verb becomes the Passive: By whom + Shall/ will + object + be +
verse line subject of the passive verb. verb (IIIrd form)?

CHURL: a crude or uncouth person lacking The active sentence’s subject becomes the Structure 4:
culture or refinement object of the passive sentence (or is dropped).
The finite form of the verb is changed to past
participle or V3 form. Active: Wh-question word + Shall/ will +
ELEGIAC: resembling or characteristic of a subject + verb (Ist form) + object…?
lament for the dead
The preposition “by” is used before the
passive object.
Passive: Wh-question word + Shall/ will + Past Continuous The cat chased the mouse.
object + be + verb (IIIrd from) + by + subject…?
I was writing a letter. | A letter was being He has completed the assignment.
5. Imperative Sentences written by me.
They are repairing the car.
Positive Past Perfect
The gardener is planting flowers.
Active: Verb + object I had written a letter. | A letter had been
written by me.
She will bake a cake.
Passive: (i) Let + object + be + past participle
Past Perfect Continuous
Exercise 3: Identify whether the following
(ii) You are requested/ordered/suggested + to + sentences are in active or passive voice:
verb (Ist form) + object I had been writing a letter. | A letter had been
being written by me.
The letter was written by Mary.
Negative
Simple Future
They are watching a movie.
Active: Do + not + Verb + Object
I will write a letter. | A letter will be written
by me. The door was opened by John.
Passive: (i) Let + object + not + be + past
participle
She will be awarded a prize.
Future Continuous
(ii) You are requested/ordered/suggested + not
+ to + verb (Ist form) + object He fixed the computer.
I will be writing a letter. | A letter will be
being written by me.
Q6. What are Passive voice tenses
6. “To be” Sentences
Future Perfect
Passive voice can be used in different tenses to
Active: Subject + indicate when an action happens:
Is/Are/Am/Was/Were/Has/Have/Had + To + I will have written a letter. | A letter will have
Verb (Ist form) + Object.. been written by me.
1. Present Simple Passive: Happens now.
Passive: Object + Future Perfect Continuous
Is/Are/Am/Was/Were/Has/Have/Had + To + Be + – The book is read by the students.
Verb (III form) + By + Subject.
I will have been writing a letter. | A letter will
have been being written by me. 2. Past Simple Passive: Happened in the past.
7. Verb + Preposition + Object
FAQs on Active and Passive Voice Rules – The car was repaired by the mechanic
Active: Subject + verb + preposition + object… yesterday.
Q1. What are examples of Active Passive
Passive: Object + to be + verb (III form) + Voice? 3. Future Simple Passive: Will happen in the
preposition + by + subject… future.
Active – I gave him a book for his Birthday
NOTE: While converting such sentences into – The project will be completed by the team
passive voices, the verb is always followed by next week.
the particular preposition. Passive- He was given a book for his Birthday.

And so on, with each tense indicating a

Active – The Hunter killed the Lion specific time frame for the action.
8. Modal Verbs

Passive- The Lion was killed by Hunter.

Active: Subject + modal verb + (V1) + object…

Q2. When can we use Passive Voice?

Passive: Object + modal verb + be + V3 + by +
subject…
When we want to frame a sentence in such a
condition where the main subject, who is
9. Di-Transitive Verbs doing the action is not known then we can use
passive voice.
Some verbs take two objects, for example:
Q3. How do we identify Active-Passive Voice
Active: Samdish gave the beggar an old t-shirt. Sentences?

Passive: (i) An old t-shirt was given to the When the Subject is doing the action it means
beggar by Samdish. the sentence is in Active Voice. And when the
Subject is only receiving the action it means
the sentence is in Passive Voice.
(ii) The beggar was given an old t-shirt by
Samdish.
Q4. What are Passive voice examples?
10. Sentences with the Intransitive Verb:
1. Active Voice: “She writes a book.”
Such sentences are known as Mid-voice or
Quasi-Passive voice. They seem in active voice, Passive Voice: “A book is written by her.”
but their meaning is in passive voice, and they
have intransitive verbs, like without a direct
object. 2. Active Voice: “They will complete the
project.”

Active: Honey tastes sweet.

Passive Voice: “The project will be completed
by them.”
Passive: Honey is sweet when it is tasted.
3. Active Voice: “He repaired the car.”
TENSE | Active Voice | Passive Voice
Passive Voice: “The car was repaired by him.”
Simple Present
In passive voice, the object of the active
I write a letter. | A letter is written by me. sentence becomes the subject, and the verb is
changed, often with the addition of “by” to
indicate the doer of the action.
Present Continuous

Q5. Give some Passive exercises

I am writing a letter. | A letter is being written
by me.
Exercise 1: Change the following active voice
sentences into passive voice:
Present Perfect

The teacher teaches the students.

I have written a letter. | A letter has been
written by me.
They built a new house.
Present Perfect Continuous:
She will sing a song.
I have been writing a letter. | A letter has
been being written by me. The chef cooked a delicious meal.

Simple Past The company has developed a new product.

I wrote a letter. | A letter was written by me. Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences in
passive voice: