English is no stranger to big, bold words. Some are tongue-twisters designed to impress, others are quirky technical terms, and a few are actually useful in everyday conversation. Here are ten of the longest words in English — plus tips on how (or if!) you’d ever use them.

1. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis

At 45 letters, this is often cited as the longest word in English. It’s a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust. You’ll almost never use it in real life, unless you’re trying to win a trivia contest.

2. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

Made famous by Mary Poppins, this 34-letter word means “fantastic” or “wonderful.” Not medically necessary, but definitely fun to say.

3. Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia

The supposed “fear of long words.” Ironically, the word itself is 36 letters long. A cruel joke by whoever coined it.

4. Floccinaucinihilipilification

At 29 letters, this word means the act of describing something as worthless. It dates back to 18th-century Latin-loving scholars who were clearly showing off.

5. Antidisestablishmentarianism

A classic at 28 letters. It described a 19th-century political movement in England opposing the separation of church and state. You may never need it, but it always looks good on a spelling test.

6. Incomprehensibilities

A 21-letter plural word meaning things that are impossible to understand. Unlike some of the others on this list, you might actually use this one in daily life.

7. Honorificabilitudinitatibus

A 27-letter word meaning “the state of being able to achieve honors.” Shakespeare used it once in Love’s Labour’s Lost, and scholars have been debating it ever since.

8. Psychoneuroendocrinological

At 27 letters, this technical medical term relates to the study of interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems. A mouthful, but at least it describes something real.

9. Dichlorodifluoromethane

A 23-letter chemical compound once used as a refrigerant. If you’re into chemistry, this one might actually come in handy.

10. Uncharacteristically

At 20 letters, it’s the longest word you might actually use in everyday conversation. It means “in a way that is not typical” — and unlike most of this list, you could drop it into an email today.

English may not always reward length with clarity, but it sure makes for great trivia.

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