The English language is different, stunning, and generally complicated with its inclusion of non-phonetically spelled phrases and complicated grammatical guidelines. Nevertheless, it additionally has many uncommon and funky phrases with cool meanings to find.

Right here, we dive into a few of our favourite phrases, with definitions and examples.

What’s a cool phrase?

What makes a phrase cool is subjective, however they’re usually synonymous with attention-grabbing or distinctive phrases. Cool phrases within the English language will be phonetically intriguing, have an uncommon which means, or be spelled in a shocking means.

25 cool phrases to know in English

Whether or not you need to add uncommon phrases to your lexicon or are writing your debut novel, right here’s a listing of 25 distinctive and delightful phrases.

1
Abracadabra

Pronounced: a-bruh-kuh-DA-bruh
A part of speech: noun
That means: A command or incantation that’s spoken by magicians to enact a magic trick

He stated, “Abracadabra” and doves flew out of his prime hat!

2
Amok

Pronounced: uh-MUHK
A part of speech: adverb
That means: A violent and uncontrolled frenzy

The canine ran amok everywhere in the home, splattering the carpet and couch with mud.

Amok could be a difficult phrase to spell and has one other model, amuck, which isn’t used as generally.

3
Anemone

Pronounced: uh-NEH-muh-nee
A part of speech: noun
That means: A genus of perennials with engaging flowers within the buttercup household of vegetation

Within the backyard mattress alongside the entrance yard, I believe Japanese anemones would complement the colour of the home.

4
Brouhaha

Pronounced: BROO-haa-haa
A part of speech: noun
That means: A commotion or uproar

The newest firm announcement stirred a brouhaha amongst members of the crew.

5
Calliope

Pronounced: kuh-LIE-uh-pee
A part of speech: noun
That means: The Greek muse of epic poetry. It may possibly additionally describe an organ-like musical instrument.

It’s as if Calliope herself guided my hand as I wrote.

6
Clandestine

Pronounced: klan-DEH-stin
A part of speech: adjective
That means: One thing carried out in secret

The traditional books revealed the existence of a clandestine society with mystical powers.

7
Doppelgänger

Pronounced: DAH-pul-gang-er
A part of speech: noun
That means: A double of an individual; having a eager resemblance between two in any other case unrelated individuals.

I noticed Eloise’s doppelgänger on the grocery retailer yesterday.

8
Earwig

Pronounced: EER-wig
A part of speech: verb
That means: To whisper in somebody’s ear as a method to influence or irritate them

Her daughter adopted her round the home, repeating the earwig: “We should always undertake the cat.”

9
Euphoria

Pronounced: yoo-FORE-ee-uh
A part of speech: noun
That means: An intense feeling of elation, pleasure, or pleasure

Her euphoria after being accepted into medical faculty was so nice that she couldn’t sit nonetheless.

10
Fisticuffs

Pronounced: FI-sti-kuhfs
A part of speech: plural noun
That means: A bodily combat or altercation utilizing fists

The verbal argument escalated to fisticuffs as passersby recorded the confrontation.

11
Gizmo

Pronounced: GIZ-moe
A part of speech: noun
That means: A phrase to explain a small machine or gadget whose identify is unknown

The inventor confirmed off his newest gizmo, a pocket-sized contraption that interprets canine vocalizations into human language.

12
Gossamer

Pronounced: GAH-suh-mr
A part of speech: noun
That means: One thing delicate or insubstantial

The gossamer spiderweb was stretched between three branches.

13
Hodgepodge

Pronounced: HAAJ-paaj
A part of speech: noun
That means: A mixture or jumble of assorted objects

The potluck was a hodgepodge of flavors, from spaghetti to pan-fried pork dumplings.

14
Kismet

Pronounced: KIZ-met
A part of speech: noun
That means: Preordained by a power of destiny or future

Encountering them felt like kismet—had I not gotten out of sophistication early, I by no means would have wandered into that bookstore, bumping into them.

Some who describes love at first sight may additionally take into account it a matter of kismet.

15
Malarkey

Pronounced: muh-LAR-kee
A part of speech: noun
That means: Talking foolishness, nonsense, or insincerely

He dismissed the gross sales affiliate’s claims as malarkey, doubting their truthfulness.

16
Oomph

Pronounced: oomf
A part of speech: noun
That means: A colloquial phrase to explain vitality or affect

The singer’s efficiency lacked oomph, leaving a lull within the viewers’s vitality.

17
Portmanteau

Pronounced: port-MAN-toe
A part of speech: noun
That means: A mix of two or extra phrases or phrase elements

Enjoyable reality: Brunch isn’t solely the most effective mealtime of the week, it’s additionally a portmanteau of “breakfast” and “lunch.”

18
Jabberwocky

Pronounced: JA-bur-waa-kee
A part of speech: noun
That means: Meaningless or nonsensical made-up language or phrases.

The toddler entertained everybody with jabberwocky that solely she might perceive.

19
Macabre

Pronounced: muh-KAAB
A part of speech: adjective
That means: One thing ugly, unsettling or disturbing, usually involving demise

The deserted home had a macabre environment, with damaged home windows and deteriorating roof.

In all probability originating from the Previous French phrase macabé, it’s on our prime record of spookiest phrases.

20
Nomenclature

Pronounced: NOE-muhn-klay-chr
A part of speech: noun
That means: The method of naming; a system or set of phrases and symbols in a sure subject of examine.

Dr. Owens meticulously studied the nomenclature of hen species, so each is precisely categorised and named in keeping with the brand new requirements.

21
Peewee

Pronounced: PEE-wee
A part of speech: noun
That means: Small in dimension, notably a small baby

Jeanie loves her peewee soccer crew and appears ahead to observe on daily basis.

22
Quibble

Pronounced: KWI-bl
A part of speech: verb
That means: To complain or fixate on a trivial or small element to keep away from the primary level of an argument  

As a substitute of addressing our deeper communication points, he quibbled over the marinara sauce.

23
Quintessential

Pronounced:

kwin-tuh-SEN-chl
A part of speech: adjective
That means: A exact and typical illustration of one thing or somebody

He was the epitome of a quintessential New Yorker—overtly weaving via oncoming visitors.

24
Umbra

Pronounced:

UHM-bruh
A part of speech: noun
That means: A cone-shaped shadow brought on by an opaque object blocking the sunshine from a single supply

When the photo voltaic eclipse started, these of us within the umbra really felt the air get cooler.

25
Wunderkind

Pronounced:

VUN-der-kint
A part of speech: noun
That means: Sometimes, a youngster or baby with distinctive expertise or talent in a selected subject

The younger level guard was thought-about a wunderkind, impressing faculty basketball recruiters with their sharp ball-handling.

Incorporating cool phrases into your writing

Increase your phrase financial institution by weaving these uncommon phrases into your subsequent writing challenge or by utilizing them in on a regular basis dialog. If you happen to come throughout a phrase that sounds stunning, has an surprising which means, or is spelled in a shocking means, add it to your individual private record of cool phrases to attract from whereas writing.