10 Tricky Spelling Bee Words You Need To Know

ElevatEd
English
December 29, 2021

Thousands of American children attend the yearly spelling bee, which began as a competition in 1925. The procedure begins in school and ends with a nationwide spelling bee tournament. Winning a spelling bee is a huge boost for any child. Thorough preparation and dedication are needed for it.

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With its vast vocabulary that contains several terminology taken from other languages, English is a language that is spoken by people all over the world. As a result, keeping up with new terms and their spellings has proven difficult. Even if they appear to be simple words, some are difficult to spell. It might be difficult to remember them among all of the other terms. Excited to learn some tongue-twisting words to enhance your vocabulary? Join 98thPercentile's ELA program and explore different spellings, vocabulary, and more, and shine bright in any spell bee challenge. Now, let's explore 10 difficult words asked in the spelling bee's history.

10 Challenging Words From the Scripps Spelling Bee

Milieu
- Year: 1985
- Origin: This word went from Latin to French.
- Part of speech: noun
- Pronunciation: meel-YOO
- Definition: the physical or social setting in which something occurs or develops; environment, setting.

Smaragdine
- Year: 1961
- Origin: This word is from Latin.
- Part of speech: adjective
- Pronunciation: smuh-RAG-din
- Definition: of or relating to emerald; yellowish green in color like an emerald.

Soubrette
- Year: 1953
- Origin: This word is from a word that went from Latin to French.
- Part of speech: noun
- Pronunciation: soo-BRET
- Definition: a lady’s maid in comedies who acts the part of a coquettish maidservant or frivolous young woman.

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Albumen
- Year: 1928
- Origin: This word is from Latin.
- Part of speech: noun
- Pronunciation: al-BYOO-mun
- Definition: the white of an egg.
Eudaemonic
- Year: 1960
- Origin: This word is from Greek.
- Part of speech: adjective
- Pronunciation: yoo-dee-MAHN-ik
- Definition: producing happiness; based on the idea of happiness as the proper end of conduct.
Chiaroscurist
- Year: 1998
- Origin: This word came from Italian, which formed it from a Latin word.
- Part of speech: noun
- Pronunciation: kyahr-uh-SKYUR-ist
- Definition: an artist who uses the arrangement or treatment of the light and dark parts in a pictorial work of art.

Autochthonous
- Year: 2004
- Origin: This word is from Greek.
- Part of speech: adjective
- Pronunciation: ah-TAHK-thus-nus
- Definition: Indigenous, native, aboriginal—used especially of floras and faunas.
Insouciant
- Year: 1951
- Origin: This word is from the French word.
- Part of speech: adjective
- Pronunciation: in-SOO-see-unt
- Definition: exhibiting or characterized by freedom from concern or care.

Staphylococci
- Year: 1987
- Origin: The first part of this word went from Greek to Latin to French, and the second part is originally Greek.
- Part of speech: plural noun
- Pronunciation: staf-uh-loh-KAHK-sahy
- Definition: a genus of non-motile spherical eubacteria that occur singly, in pairs or tetrads, and comprise a few parasites of skin and mucous membranes.

Foulard
- Year: 1931
- Origin: This word is from French.
- Part of speech: noun
- Pronunciation: foo-LARD
- Definition: A lightweight plain-woven or twilled silk usually printed with a small neat evenly spaced pattern.

It can be gratifying and exciting for your children to learn new words and their definitions and origins. Knowledge is limitless, and there is no greater confidence boost than picking up new terms and showing them off in public.

98thPercentile is here to help your child with their spelling. 98thPercentile's Spelling Bee Kahoot is the perfect platform for your child to learn new words and put their spelling prowess to the test before the spell bee competitions. The spelling Bee Kahoot takes place every year and children get a chance to win great rewards. Do visit www.98thpercentile.com to learn more about the competition.

Take advantage of our free one-week ELA trial sessions to see how your child's performance improves. We provide several programs and host events. To schedule a free trial session, go to our website right now and join our ELA program and see the positive change in your child.

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