It’s not every day that a world leader – in this case, US president Donald Trump – declares a somewhat functional word such as tariff the most beautiful word in the dictionary and, by implication, the English language. Admittedly, Trump later changed his mind by declaring God, religion and love took precedence, but such a proclamation begs the question – what makes a word beautiful?
Officially, we cannot show favouritism, and therefore we’d like to state that every word is beautiful. But seriously, how do we come to view words in such a manner? For some people, it’s about the meaning. For others, it could be the way a word sounds, or even feels, when it’s spoken aloud. This takes us into the realm of phonaesthetics, which is essentially the study of what makes certain combinations of letters and syllables sound pleasing (or displeasing) to the ear.
One of the most famous examples of phonetic beauty in the English language is a compound noun – ‘cellar door’. Lauded for its melodic flow, many notable writers and linguists including J.R.R. Tolkien have noted that the appeal of ‘cellar door’ is not about the literal meaning, but about the way the syllables flow smoothly together.
With that spirit of beauty guiding us, we present to you seven of the loveliest words in the English language. Chosen for their unique sound, rhythm or curious histories, we hope you enjoy this feast of lyrical glory.
1. Susurrus
‘The harsh cry of a seagull took him out of himself; the soft rolling susurrus of the surf stole into his consciousness.’
This glorious word, defined as a whispering, murmuring or rustling sound, immediately evokes leaves gently rustling on a golden autumn afternoon or gentle, hushed voices in a library. Originating from the Latin susurrare, to whisper, it’s also a classic example of an onomatopoeic word, which are words that sound like the noise they refer to. Try speaking it aloud, and it’s the linguistic equivalent of a soft breeze across the back of your neck. It’s no surprise that this word is a favourite of writers who want to create a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
2. Petrichor
‘The first rains after a long dry spell bring out an unmistakable perfume, often strongest in spring and summer, known as petrichor.’
A personal favourite of mine, petrichor is defined as the sweet, earthy smell that is produced when it rains after a long period of dry weather. Think the first rain shower after an intense heatwave: what does it smell of? The concept and the word for it are more romantic than the chemical reaction that causes the smell – a bacteria called actinomycetes. Coined in the 1960s, petrichor comes from the Greek petra, meaning stone, and ichor, meaning ‘the fluid that flows in the veins of gods’.
3. Mellifluous
‘But I was surprised to discover that in person he is charming and attentive, with a gentle smile and mellifluous voice.’
Have you ever heard someone described as being honey-tongued? Mellifluous is a decidedly more elegant term for this particular form of charisma. It derives from the Latin mellifluous, which combines mel (honey) and fluere (to flow) to provide a literal meaning of flowing with, or like, honey. Mellifluous is used to describe a voice or music that is exceptionally smooth, making it pleasant or comforting to listen to. The word itself glides off the tongue, embodying the very essence of its meaning.
4. Halcyon
‘In those halcyon days, one successful passage paid three times over for the ship and her crew’s wages.’
Say this one out loud, how does it make you feel? Halcyon is used to refer to a time in the past that was particularly peaceful or happy, for example, ‘the halcyon days of summer’. Where does this magical word come from? It’s linked to a fabulous bird in Greek mythology – commonly linked to the modern-day kingfisher – associated with the winter solstice. According to the story, the god of wind would calm the seas to allow the bird to build its nest. This word’s soft consonants and open vowels contribute to its tranquil sound.
5. Ephemeral
‘We live this very ephemeral life.’
Time flies when you’re having fun, even faster when that moment is ephemeral. Defined as lasting for only a short time, it can be used to describe the lifespan of a mayfly or the breathtaking beauty of short-lived moments in nature such as a sunrise or a flower blossoming. It comes from the Greek ephēmeros, which literally translates as lasting only a day. Its soft syllables and poignant meaning make it a word that resonates deeply with the human experience of transience.
6. Sonorous
‘The voice was measured and serene, deep sonorous and guttural.’
James Earl Jones. Morgan Freeman. Alan Rickman. What do all these actors have in common? Their sonorous voices. Sonorous, defined as deep and resonant in sound, is one of those words that echoes through your mouth with a richness that truly mirrors its definition. It comes from the Latin sonōrous, meaning loud, which in turn comes from sonor, meaning noise. Shakespearean actors have sonorousness down to a fine art, but it can also be applied to instruments such as the cello, and even in architecture as a way of implying weight and gravitas.
7. Limerence
‘Previous research suggested that the first stages of romantic love, a rollercoaster ride of mood swings and obsessions that psychologists call limerence, start to fade within 15 months.’
Why call it a crush when you could call it the much more euphonious limerence? Defined as a state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person, limerence is often characterised by feelings of euphoria and a strong desire for romantic feelings to be reciprocated. Of all our lovely words, this one is the most modern. It was coined by psychologist Dorothy Tennov in the 1970s as a way of describing that intense feeling of a first flush of love, when you can’t get that person off your mind. Its rhythmic cadence mirrors the highs and lows of romantic obsession, and its specificity fills a lexical gap in the language of love.
Do you have a favourite word that you think deserves a spot on this list? Let us know on social media, because we’re always on the lookout for more lexical treasures!
By Rachel Quin
Rachel Quin is a freelance marketer and copywriter with a love of language, books and cats.
All opinions expressed on this blog are those of the individual writers, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company, HarperCollins.
