![national spelling bee logo](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GettyImages-1152701667.jpg?fit=700%2C466)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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-h.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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-wa.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: asceticism
Year: 1929
How to say it: “uh–set–uh-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/03-soubrette.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/GettyImages-517367442-e1589920580486.jpg?fit=700%2C466)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/05-interlocutory.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/jonathan-knisely-jonathan-p-knisely12-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-p.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/07-macerate.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: macerate
Year: 1972
How to say it: “mas–uh-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/08-hydrophyte.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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-pennsylvani.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: elegiacal
Year: 1988
How to say it: “el-i-jahy–uh-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/watchf-associated-press-domestic-news-washington-united-states-aphs-62nd-national-spelling-bee-scott-isaacs14-of-litteton-colorado-holds-up-a-trophy-after-winning-the-62nd-annual-national-spelling.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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-v.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: lyceum
Year: 1992
How to say it: “lahy-see–uhm”
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/13-antediluvian.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/14-succedaneum.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/15-pococurante.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: pococurante
Year: 2003
How to say it: “poh-koh-koo–ran-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/scripps-national-spelling-bee-champion-anurag-kashyup-and-president-george-w-bush-18-jul.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: appoggiatura
Year: 2005
How to say it: “uh-poj-uh–too-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/17-stromuhr.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/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.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/19-feuilleton.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning words: feuilleton + stichomythia
Year: 2014
How to say them: “foi-yuh–tawn” + “stik-uh–mith-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/21-scherenschnitte.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning words: scherenschnitte + nunatak
Year: 2015
How to say them: “shay-ren-shnit-tuh” + “nuhn–uh-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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/23-Feldenkrais.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/25-marocain.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
Winning word: marocain
Year: 2017
How to say it: “mar–uh-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.](https://www.rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/GettyImages-964656052.jpg?fit=700%2C467)
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:
- Scripps National Spelling Bee
- Vox: “The 2019 National Spelling Bee ended in an unprecedented 8-way tie”