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The 23 Hardest Winning Words from the National Spelling Bee

The Scripps National Spelling Bee has been a (mostly) yearly tradition since the 1920s. How would you fare trying to spell these baffling winning words?

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Bee’s the word!

The Scripps National Spelling Bee got its start in 1925, and since then, the competition has challenged participants to remember exactly how to spell some of the hardest words out there. And we’re not just talking about “grey or gray” and other commonly misspelled words—these students are tasked with spelling some real vocab doozies. If you think you’ve seen hard spelling bee words before, buckle up for this list, because these are some of the hardest winning words from the competition.

Peg McCarthy, Lyn Sue Kahng Peg McCarthy of Topeka, Kansas, spells the world "deification" to win the 51st National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., . The runner-up Lyn Sue Kahng, seated left, puts her head in her hands. Kahng is from San Diego
Bob Daugherty/Shutterstock

Winning word: albumen

Year: 1928

How to say it: “al-byoo-muhn”

What it means: Egg white, as well as a type of protein found in egg whites and milk

Sentence containing the word: “Well-beaten albumen is the key to impressive meringue.”

Who won: Betty Robinson, a 13-year-old from Indiana

Looking to beef up your vocabulary? These fancy words will make you sound smarter.

Neetu Chandak of Geneva New York Celebrates After Correctly Spelling the Word 'Perciatelli' in the Semi-final Round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington Dc in Washington Dc Usa on 28 May 2009 the Annual Event Began in 1925 with Nine Contestants This Year 293 Children Competed Epa/matthew Cavanaugh United States Washington
Matthew Cavanaugh/Shutterstock

Winning word: asceticism

Year: 1929

How to say it: uhsetuh-siz-uhm”

What it means: The practice of avoiding indulgences and temptations, usually for religious reasons

Sentence containing the word: “Priests practice asceticism in a display of worship.”

Who won: Virginia Hogan, a 12-year-old from Nebraska

There’s no doubt grammar can be a bit confusing—here are some of the most confusing grammar rules out there.

13-year-old Modhura Chakravarty of Lafayette Indiana Spells a Word Into Her Hand During the Semifinals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington Dc Usa 04 June 2010 United States Washington
Jim Lo Scalzo/Shutterstock

Winning word: soubrette

Year: 1953

How to say it: “soo-bret

What it means: A high female vocal range, or an actress in an opera with such a vocal range

Sentence containing the word: “Suzanne in Le Mariage de Figaro is possibly the most famous soubrette.”

Who won: Elizabeth Hess, a 13-year-old from Arizona

Want to see if you’re a real word pro? Test your skills with these word puzzles.

Girl Holding Trophy Cup and Plaque
Bettmann/Getty Images

Winning word: crustaceology

Year: 1955

How to say it: “crus-tay-shee-aw-lo-jee”

What it means: The study of crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp

Sentence containing the word: “I’m very interested in marine biology, specifically crustaceology.”

Who won: Sandra Sloss, a 13-year-old from Illinois

Another tricky word to spell: traveled—or is it travelled?

Margaret Peterson, of Granger, Ind., competes during the third round at the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington
Drew Angerer/Shutterstock

Winning word: interlocutory

Year: 1969

How to say it: “in-ter-lok-yuh-tawr-ee”

What it means: Given during the course of a legal action

Sentence containing the word: “Rather than awaiting trial, consider an interlocutory appeal.”

Who won: Susan Yoachum, a 14-year-old from Texas

Find out how many of these hard tongue twisters you can say without stumbling.

Jonathan Knisely Jonathan P. Knisely,12, of Mullica Hills, N.J., holds his winner's trophy high after winning the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. On May 29, 2014, Sriram Hathwar of Painted Post, N.Y., and Ansun Sujoe of Fort Worth, Texas, were declared co-champions of the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee
Bob Daugherty/Shutterstock

Winning word: shalloon

Year: 1971

How to say it: “sha-loon  

What it means: A type of twilled fabric

Sentence containing the word: “The material used to line clothing is more often than not shalloon.”

Who won: Jonathan Knisely, a 12-year-old from New Jersey

Not sure when to use laying or lying? Don’t worry—here’s the difference between the two words.

SPELLING BEE Robin Kral, 14, of Lubbock, Texas, left, holds his trophy after winning the 1972 National Spelling Bee in Washington. He out-spelled Lauren Pringle, 13, right, of Buffalo, N.Y., to win the title
AP/REX/Shutterstock

Winning word: macerate

Year: 1972

How to say it: masuh-reyt”

What it means: To soften (usually food) by soaking in liquid

Sentence containing the word: “The recipe calls for sugar and water to mix and macerate the strawberries.”

Who won: Robin Kral, a 14-year-old from Texas

Here are the words and phrases you may be using all wrong.

Mattia H Phaneuf 13 of West Tisbury Massachusetts Spells Her Word During the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington Dc On Tuesday 31 May 2006 the Winner of the Competition Will Be Announced For the First Time On Live Prime Time Television Tomorrow Evening There Are 275 Spellers in the Competition
Stefan Zaklin/Shutterstock

Winning word: hydrophyte

Year: 1974

How to say it: hahy-druh-fahyt”

What it means: An aquatic plant, one that grows only on or in water

Sentence containing the word: “A few hydrophytes would really liven up the fish tank.”

Who won: Julie Ann Junkin, a 12-year-old from Alabama

How many of these funny words have you heard before?

Katie Kerwin, Julie Won Katie Kerwin of Denver, Colo., jumps for joy in Washington after winning the 52nd annual National Spelling Bee, by correctly spelling "virescence" and "maculature." Pennsylvania Julie Won, background, wears the face of a runner-up. Miss Won finished third in the bee last year
Charles Harrity/Shutterstock

Winning word: maculature

Year: 1979

How to say it: mac-yoo-luh-chur”

What it means: In art, a printing impression made to remove excess ink

Sentence containing the word: “Any bookbinder worth their salt will know about maculatures!”

Who won: Katie Kerwin McCrimmon, a 13-year-old from Colorado

Calling all grammar nerds: These grammar memes are sure to crack you up.

Kavya Shivashankar Age 13 of Olathe Kansas Correctly Spells the Word 'Laodicean' to Win the Final Round of the Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Washington Dc in Washington Dc Usa On 28 May 2009 the Annual Event Began in 1925 with Nine Contestants This Year 293 Children Competed
Michael Reynolds/Shutterstock

Winning word: elegiacal

Year: 1988

How to say it: “el-i-jahyuh-kuhl”

What it means: Sorrowful or lamenting

Sentence containing the word: “The movie score was rather elegiacal—I was sobbing the whole time!”

Who won: Rageshree Ramachandran, a 13-year-old from California

Don’t forget to browse through these examples of onomatopoeia you may not have seen before.

Watchf Associated Press Domestic News Washington United States APHS 62ND NATIONAL SPELLING BEE Scott Isaacs,14, of Litteton, Colorado, holds up a trophy after winning the 62nd annual National Spelling Bee in Washington . Isaacs an eight-grader correctly spelled "spolitor" to win the competition
RICK BOWMER/Shutterstock

Winning word: spoliator

Year: 1989

How to say it: spoh-lee-eyt-uhr”

What it means: Someone who plunders or robs

Sentence containing the word: “The spoliator has made off with our spoils once again.”

Who won: Scott Isaacs, a 14-year-old from Colorado

Amanda Goad, Dan Thomasson Amanda Goad, 13, of Richmond, Va., holds up her trophy after spelling "lyceum" correctly to win the 65th annual National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., . Dan Thomasson, vice president of Scripps-Howard celebrates at right
Doug Mills/Shutterstock

Winning word: lyceum

Year: 1992

How to say it: “lahy-seeuhm”

What it means: An institution or building that hosts lectures and other educational programs

Sentence containing the word: “I just went to a poetry reading at that lyceum last week.”

Who won: Amanda Goad, a 13-year-old from Virginia

Ned G. Andrews, William Burleigh Ned G. Andrews, 13, a seventh-grader from Knoxville, Tenn., is congratulated by William Burleigh, chief operating officer of Scripps Howard Inc., after winning the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C
J. Scott Applewhite/Shutterstock

Winning word: antediluvian

Year: 1994

How to say it: “an-tee-di-loo-vee-uhn”

What it means: Taking place before the Great Flood in the Bible, or extremely old-fashioned

Sentence containing the word: “I enjoy having a door opened for me once in a while—consider me antediluvian!”

Who won: Ned G. Andrews, a 13-year-old from Tennessee

CONLEY Sean Conley, 13, of Shakopee, Minn., holds a trophy after winning the 74th annual National Spelling Bee in Washington
ANN HEISENFELT/Shutterstock

Winning word: succedaneum

Year: 2001

How to say it: “suhk-si-dey-nee-uh m”

What it means: A substitute or replacement, usually for medicine

Sentence containing the word: “Even though the man ordered roses for his wife, the florist decided the succedaneum of daisies would have to do.”

Who won: Sean Conley, a 13-year-old from Minnesota

GUNTURI Sai Gunturi, 13, of Dallas, reacts agter winning the 76th annual National Spelling Bee in Washington
RON EDMONDS/Shutterstock

Winning word: pococurante

Year: 2003

How to say it: “poh-koh-kooran-tee”

What it means: Uncaring, apathetic (as well as a person with those qualities)

Sentence containing the word: “If a young man grew up being yelled at all the time, it is quite expected for the man to have a pococurante demeanor toward people screaming.”

Who won: Sai R. Gunturi, a 13-year-old from Texas

Feeling funny? These funny palindrome sentences will make you chuckle.

Scripps National Spelling bee Champion, Anurag Kashyup and President George W Bush - 18 Jul
REX/Shutterstock

Winning word: appoggiatura

Year: 2005

How to say it: uh-poj-uhtoo-ruh”

What it means: A music note played as an embellishment on the main beat

Sentence containing the word: “An appoggiatura places emphasis on the grace note.”

Who won: Anurag Kashyap, a 13-year-old from California

Did you know this is how you’re supposed to pronounce “Worcestershire”?

Anamika Veeramani Anamika Veeramani, 14, of North Royalton, Ohio, looks at her trophy after winning the 2010 National Spelling Bee in Washington, on
Jacquelyn Martin/Shutterstock

Winning word: stromuhr

Year: 2010

How to say it: straw-muhr”

What it means: A medical instrument that determines the amount of blood flowing through a vein or artery

Sentence containing the word: “This prognosis might require a stromuhr.”

Who won: Anamika Veeramani, a 14-year-old from Ohio

Snigdha Nandipati Snigdha Nandipati, 14, of San Diego, right, and her brother Sujan Nandipati, hoist up her trophy after she won the National Spelling Bee with the word "guetapens" in Oxon Hill, Md., on
Jacquelyn Martin/Shutterstock

Winning word: guetapens

Year: 2012

How to say it: “get-uh-paw

What it means: A trap or a snare

Sentence containing the word: “The opposing team fell for our guetapens, and it was all over.”

Who won: Snigdha Nandipati, a 14-year-old from California

By the way, this is why some English words have silent letters in them.

Ansun Sujoe, 13, of Fort Worth, Texas, left, and Sriram Hathwar, 14, of Painted Post, N.Y., raise the championship trophy after being named co-champions of the National Spelling Bee,, in Oxon Hill, Md
Evan Vucci/Shutterstock

Winning words: feuilleton + stichomythia

Year: 2014

How to say them: “foi-yuhtawn” + “stik-uhmith-ee-uh”

What they mean: A part of a newspaper for fiction, essays, and other lighter reading + A Greek drama technique where two characters speak alternately

Sentences containing the words: “I love the Times section for feuilleton.” + “The stichomythia in Oedipus is unparalleled.”

Who won: Ansun Sujoe, a 13-year-old from Texas, and Sriram Hathwar, a 14-year-old from New York, tied for first place after exhausting the entire list of words

Vanya Shivashankar, Gokul Venkatachalam. Vanya Shivashankar, 13, left, of Olathe, Kan., left, and Gokul Venkatachalam, 14, of St. Louis, hold up the trophy as co-champions after winning the finals of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md
Andrew Harnik/Shutterstock

Winning words: scherenschnitte + nunatak

Year: 2015

How to say them: shay-ren-shnit-tuh” + “nuhnuh-tak”

What they mean: The artistic technique of cutting paper to form a symmetrical design + A peak of rock above an icy or snowy surface

Sentences containing the words: “Patience, practice, and a steady hand are essential for this craft, as most scherenschnitte designs are extremely elaborate.” + “At last we reached the top of the Crean Glacier, at a broad pass beside a striking nunatak.”

Who won: Gokul Venkatachalam, a 14-year-old from Missouri, and Vanya Shivashankar, a 13-year-old from Kansas, tied for first place after exhausting the entire list of words

Did you know the most complicated word in the English language is only three letters long?

Jairam Hathwar, Nihar Janga Nihar Janga, 11, of Austin, Texas, and Jairam Hathwar, 13, of Painted Post, N.Y., hold up the trophy after being named co-champions at the 2016 National Spelling Bee, in National Harbor, Md., on
Jacquelyn Martin/Shutterstock

Winning words: feldenkrais + gesellschaft

Year: 2016

How to say them: fell-den-krice” + “guh-zell-shawft”

What they mean: A method of exercise therapy that emphasizes connections between the brain and body + Social relationships based on duty or obligation, not camaraderie

Sentences containing the words: “A little feldenkrais will have you fixed up in no time.” + “It’s less a friendship and more so gesellschaft.”

Who won: Nihar Janga, an 11-year-old from Texas, and Jairam Hathwar, a 13-year-old from New York, tied for first place after exhausting the entire list of words

Scrabble fans: These little-known words can help you win the game!

Ananya Vinay, 12, from Fresno, Calif., holds the trophy after being declared the winner of the 90th Scripps National Spelling Bee, in Oxon Hill, Md
AP/REX/Shutterstock

Winning word: marocain

Year: 2017

How to say it: maruh-keyn”

What it means: A type of fabric made from silk or wool

Sentence containing the word: “It’s a dress made from the most beautiful marocain I’ve ever seen.”

Who won: Ananya Vinay, a 12-year-old from California, became the first solo winner since 2013!

Karthik Nemmani (L) poses with the championship trophy and E.W. Scripps Company CEO Adam Symson after Nemmani correctly spelled the word 'koinonia' to win the 91st Scripps National Spelling Bee at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center May 31, 2018 in National Harbor, Maryland.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Winning word: koinonia

Year: 2018

How to say it: “koy-no-nee-a”

What it means: An intimate religious experience or spiritual connection

Sentence containing the word: “I’m going away next week on a little koinonia.”

Who won: Karthik Nemmani, a 14-year-old from McKinney, Texas

An interesting fact about the 2019 history-making competition: That year, crazily enough, didn’t really have a winning word. A full eight students were declared co-winners after completely running out the list of challenging spelling bee words without a single mistake. Must’ve been a pretty sharp field, with hard spelling bee words like “auslaut” and “erysipleas” to contend with.

Sources:

Meghan Jones
Meghan Jones is a word nerd who has been writing for RD.com since 2017. You can find her byline on pieces about grammar, fun facts, the meanings of various head-scratching words and phrases, and more. Meghan graduated from Marist College with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2017; her creative nonfiction piece “Anticipation” was published in the Spring 2017 issue of Angles literary magazine.