If you’re looking for a big word for that — it’s pretentious. “Few people have the patience to read or listen to artificially complex language. You’ve probably come across business memos that were written in such dense language that you had no idea what they meant.
In this post
What do you call someone who uses big words unnecessarily?
Sesquipedalian can also be used to describe someone or something that overuses big words, like a philosophy professor or a chemistry textbook. If someone gives a sesquipedalian speech, people often assume it was smart, even if they don’t really know what it was about because they can’t understand the words.
Why you should not use big words?
“Anything that makes a text hard to read and understand, such as unnecessarily long words or complicated fonts, will lower readers’ evaluations of the text and its author,” said Daniel Oppenheimer, author of the Princeton University study Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity: Problems
What are some pretentious words?
Spotting Pompous Word Choice
| Five-dollar words | Fifty-cent words |
|---|---|
| disputatious | argumentative |
| effectuate | make happen |
| elucidate | explain, clarity |
| equitable | fair |
Why do I use big words when talking?
Whether you’re writing an essay or speaking in front of a group, there are certain big words you can use to impress your audience. Big words don’t actually have to be long; instead, they are precise and perfectly express what you’re trying to say.
Does using big words make you smart?
Oppenheimer suggests that part of this relationship between large words and perceived intelligence can be explained by the notion that using larger words can make it more difficult for others to understand us, thus reducing fluency and making us appear less intelligent.
What kind of person is a sesquipedalian?
sesquipedalian (plural sesquipedalians) A long word. quotations ▼ A person who uses long words.
What do you call someone who pretends to be smart?
someone who is conceited behaves in a way that shows they think they are very intelligent, skillful, or attractive. This word shows that you do not like people like this.
Why you should avoid using long high sounding or complex words?
But using unnecessarily fancy phrasing is a reliable way to alienate readers. It makes prose puffed-up and heavy, so that reading it becomes a chore instead of a pleasure. That said, long and obscure words don’t deserve to be blacklisted outright.
What is the most pretentious word?
Most Pretentious Words Ever
- Methinks. Whenever someone says “methinks,” I picture them in a velvet robe with a glass of Merlot, smirking.
- Whilst. There’s a reason the word “while” exists.
- Per se.
- Postmodern.
- Milieu.
- Paradigm.
- Synergy.
- Advent.
What is pretentious language?
b : expressive of affected, unwarranted, or exaggerated importance, worth, or stature pretentious language pretentious houses.
What is pretentious person?
(prɪtenʃəs ) adjective. If you say that someone or something is pretentious, you mean that they try to seem important or significant, but you do not think that they are.
What’s a word for having a large vocabulary?
logophile – a lover of words. sesquipedalian loquaciousness – sesquipedalian(long words; polysyllabic) ; loquacious(talkative) gross verbosity – verbose(wordy)
What do you call someone with great vocabulary?
Synonyms for well-spoken. articulate, eloquent, fluent, silver-tongued.
What does it mean when a person is pedantic?
Pedantic is an insulting word used to describe someone who annoys others by correcting small errors, caring too much about minor details, or emphasizing their own expertise especially in some narrow or boring subject matter.
What do you call a person who never admits they’re wrong?
The definition of infallible is someone or something that is always perfect and right, without any errors or mistakes. An example of infallible are the decisions of God.
What is a person who thinks they are always right?
Self-righteous is a word for someone who thinks they are always right. Stubborn is the most common word for somebody who refuses to change their opinion about something.
What do you call a person who thinks they know everything?
One who is omniscient literally knows all.
Why are simple words better?
Using plain and clear language helps your audience read, understand and use the information you are giving them. Tip: Where possible, choose a simple word or phrase over a complex one. Writing in short, simple words doesn’t mean you are ‘dumbing down’ the message.
Why should we avoid highfalutin words?
Such writers often punctuate their writings with highfalutin’ words and inject random ideas. This lack of structure and direction makes it impossible for the reader to understand what these writers are communicating or where they are going. Simply stringing unfiltered words together is rambling…not writing.
Why is it important to use simple words?
Simple words help you express or convey your message clearly to the readers. Choose words that will effectively convey your ideas and give clarity to your message.