Random vocabulary word generator

These are less common words that most adults recognise but rarely use, which makes them good for building vocabulary. Get random vocabulary words with meanings and examples, from 10,379 real English words.

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Vocabulary words: 24 examples

A fixed sample from our list, in alphabetical order. Use the generator above for a fresh random set.

  • alleyway nounA narrow street with walls on both sides.
  • breakwater nounA protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away.
  • compendium nounA publication containing a variety of works.
  • cusp nounPoint formed by two intersecting arcs (as from the intrados of a Gothic arch).
  • cynicism nounA cynical feeling of distrust.
  • discontinuous adjectiveOf a function or curve; possessing one or more discontinuities.
  • dissuade verbTurn away from by persuasion.
  • dominoes nounAny of several games played with small rectangular blocks.
  • emeritus adjectiveHonorably retired from assigned duties and retaining your title along with the additional title `emeritus' as in `professor emeritus'.
  • flounder verbWalk with great difficulty.
  • freaky adjectiveStrange and somewhat frightening.
  • goad verbGive heart or courage to.
  • grower nounSomeone concerned with the science or art or business of cultivating the soil.
  • industrialist nounSomeone who manages or has significant financial interest in an industrial enterprise.
  • moonstone nounA transparent or translucent gemstone with a pearly luster; some specimens are orthoclase feldspar and others are plagioclase feldspar.
  • pompous adjectivePuffed up with vanity; ; ; ; - Newsweek.
  • profitably adverbIn a productive way.
  • stair nounSupport consisting of a place to rest the foot while ascending or descending a stairway.
  • superpower nounA state powerful enough to influence events throughout the world.
  • surfer nounSomeone who engages in surfboarding.
  • triad nounThe cardinal number that is the sum of one and one and one.
  • typhus nounRickettsial disease transmitted by body lice and characterized by skin rash and high fever.
  • valet nounA manservant who acts as a personal attendant to his employer.
  • winch nounLifting device consisting of a horizontal cylinder turned by a crank on which a cable or rope winds.

About this list

These are less common words that most adults recognise but rarely use, which makes them good for building vocabulary. Each word is shown in its dictionary form (for example "run", not "running") with its most common meaning first. Use them for vocabulary building, test preparation, word-of-the-week lessons and writing that needs a fresh word.

Words in this list10,379
Easy / medium / hard0 / 0 / 10,379
Average length8.0 letters
Average syllables2.8

How to use it

  1. Pick your settingsChoose how many words, the word type and difficulty. Open More filters for first letter, length or syllables.
  2. GeneratePress Generate, or the Space bar. Each card shows the word, its type, syllables and meaning.
  3. Keep or shareTap ★ to keep a word on this device, copy the whole list, or share it as a link.

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Frequently asked questions

How many vocabulary words are there?
This generator draws from 10,379 vocabulary words. "Common" uses the 8,366 most familiar ones; switch to "All" for the full list.
Where do the words and meanings come from?
The meanings and example sentences come from WordNet, the free English dictionary database from Princeton University. Word frequency comes from the open wordfreq project, and syllable counts from the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. See how it works.
Is it really random?
Yes. Words are picked with your browser's secure random number generator (the Web Crypto API), and one batch never repeats a word.
Is it suitable for kids and classrooms?
Yes. We removed swear words, slurs and adult terms from the whole list, so it is safe to use with children and on a projector.