You will be amused if I say that the word “Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia,” which refers to “the fear of long words,” is actually one of the longest words in the world. Isn’t that ironic?
However, this is not the only word that seems very hard to read. There are hundreds of long words across the world that actually exist in different languages.
The longest word in the world is the chemical name of the largest known protein, which contains almost 190K letters. Even if Eminem tries to say this word, it will take over two hours to complete!
In this article, we will talk about the 12 longest words that actually exist in the world.
Be ready to be surprised multiple times, because I was too while writing this!
12+ Examples Of The Longest Word In The World
Before we dive into the list, it’s important to understand what makes a word “long.” Typically, the length of a word is measured by the number of letters it contains. However, this can be misleading as some letters occupy more space than others. For this reason, we will be measuring the length of words in terms of their number of characters.
1. निरन्तरान्धकारित-दिगन्तर…..पथिक-लोकान्
Language: Sanskrit
Characters: 195
This Sanskrit word holds the Guinness World Record for being the longest word. It has 195 characters. The word appears in the 1970 book Varadāmbikā Pariṇaya Campū by Tirumalāmbā and is considered the longest word in literature.
This word describes how thirsty travelers are relieved by girls holding pitchers of fragrant, cold water near newly sprouting mango trees, which create the illusion of thick, nectar-filled clouds.
2. Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
Language: English
Characters: 45
This is the longest word you can find in major English dictionaries, including the Oxford Dictionary. The simple meaning of this 45-letter word is Silicosis, a lung disease caused by inhalation of quartz or silicon dust.
3. Parastratiosphecomyia Stratiosphecomyioides
Language: Ancient Greek
Characters: 42
This is the longest scientific name given to an animal. It is a type of fly in the Stratiomyidae family that originally came from Thailand. The scientific name of this fly comes from the Ancient Greek words for “wasp-fly resembling a near soldier.”
4. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Language: English
Characters: 34
This 34-letter word has no specific meaning. It was featured in a song in the “Mary Poppins” movie in 1964. However, the word is described as “when you have nothing to say” in the song.
5. Esternocleidooccipitomastoideos
Language: Spanish
Characters: 31
This word is one of the longest in the Spanish language, though it still falls short of some of the longest words in German. Nonetheless, it’s definitely a tongue-twister. It is a muscle name that is found in the human neck.
6. Antidisestablishmentarianism
Language: English
Characters: 28
Originally, the term “Antidisestablishmentarianism” referred to opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England, which meant removing its official status as the country’s established church. However, nowadays, this word can refer to any kind of opposition to the government’s withdrawal of support for a specific religion or church.
7. Honorificabilitudinitatibus
Language: English
Characters: 27
The word “Honorificabilitudinitatibus” was first used by Shakespeare, and it is the longest word in the English language featuring alternating consonants and vowels. The meaning of this word is “with honorableness,” and it was featured in the American TV series “Pinky and the Brain” in 1995.
8. Psychoneuroendocrinological
Language: English
Characters: 27
Psychoneuroendocrinological is a term that refers to the study of the interactions between the nervous system, endocrine system, and psychological processes. This is the second largest word you can find in medical terms.
9. लौहपथगामिनीसूचकदर्शकहरितताम्रलौहपट्टिका
Language: Hindi
Characters: 23
This is the biggest word in Hindi, and it has unofficially become part of the Hindi dictionary after the creation of railways. Although its use is nominal, Hindi-speaking people are aware of it because it is known as the biggest word in the language.
10. Euouae
Language: English
Characters: 6
Euouae is not the longest word, but it is the longest word that doesn’t have any consonants. It is exclusively made of consecutive vowels. It is a word related to music from medieval times and holds two Guinness World Records.
11. Pseudopseudohypoparathyroidism
Language: English
Characters: 30
This English word is a very long medical term that refers to a rare inherited disorder related to abnormal body chemistry and bone development.
12. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
Language: English
Characters: 34
It is a very long, made-up word that was popularized by the 1964 Disney movie “Mary Poppins.” Though it seems complex, it is simply a playful nonsense word used originally in the film and songs as part of a game.
Related Read:
Conclusion: Longest Word In The World
While these words may be long and difficult to pronounce, they are a testament to the complexity and diversity of language. Whether you’re a language enthusiast or simply curious about the longest words in the world, these words are sure to leave an impression.
