The phrases we select mirror extra than simply our private preferences. They assist us convey our messages clearly and successfully in quite a lot of contexts. For instance, you may use slang with mates, however follow formal language in an expert setting.
Figuring out when to make use of easy or advanced vocabulary is crucial for connecting with completely different audiences, whether or not in social settings or skilled roles. Many individuals choose phrases they imagine will go away a constructive impression, generally even utilizing advanced phrases in hopes of sounding extra clever.
As a language courses and programs supplier, we at Preply are captivated with serving to individuals talk successfully in any state of affairs and language, so we have been curious to be taught extra about how Individuals use advanced vocabulary and whether or not or not individuals really suppose it indicators intelligence. To seek out out, we surveyed 1,012 Individuals about how they really feel about using frequent advanced phrases.
Key findings
- The highest phrases Individuals use to sound smarter are “ambiguous,” “articulate,” and “exacerbate.”
- Probably the most pretentious phrases individuals use are capricious, equanimity, and sycophant.
- 53% have used a fancy phrase to sound smarter.
- 58% have used advanced vocabulary throughout an interview or networking occasion to seem smarter.
- 35% have used a fancy phrase throughout an argument to intimidate the opposite particular person.
- Half of Individuals are bothered or irritated by means of a fancy phrase in on a regular basis dialog.
Phrases Individuals use to sound smarter
Phrases are highly effective.
The phrases you employ can open and shut doorways all through your life. And since language is so essential in each private {and professional} settings, we determined to proceed our analysis from 2021 and discover the phrases Individuals are utilizing to sound smarter in 2025.
Though having a broad vocabulary may help you talk with a bigger scope of individuals, some use vocabulary merely to attempt to sound good. The highest phrases Individuals use to sound smarter are “ambiguous,” “articulate,” and “exacerbate.”
Nevertheless, talking successfully isn’t about utilizing lengthy or advanced phrases simply to sound extra clever. As an alternative, it’s about choosing the proper phrases that match the context of the setting you’re in. Utilizing the suitable vocabulary in every state of affairs helps you join with a bigger group of individuals, whereas overcomplicating your language can confuse your message or come throughout as insincere.
Nonetheless, advanced phrases may be present in conversations throughout you. For instance, half of Individuals use advanced vocabulary a number of instances per week or extra. As an alternative of claiming “imprecise” or “complicated,” somebody may select “ambiguous” to explain how advanced one thing is. Equally, you may hear “articulate” as a substitute of “fluent” or “expressive.”
Nevertheless, for those who’re somebody who secretly goes round including these phrases into conversations simply so that you seem smarter, you’re not alone, as 53% of Individuals say they’ve used a fancy phrase so somebody would suppose they have been smarter.
After we have a look at ages, Gen Z is probably to make use of vocabulary to look extra clever than another era. Generally Individuals even gamble with phrases in hopes of showing smarter. Regardless of not understanding a phrase’s which means, 24% say they’ve used a fancy phrase to sound smarter. This quantity is down from 2021 when 58% mentioned they did.
How Individuals use advanced vocabulary
Utilizing advanced phrases can both make you sound good or pretentious, and the context is essential to distinguishing between the 2. The highest locations Individuals use advanced phrases are at work, faculty, and residential.
In skilled settings like work or faculty, the fitting vocabulary may help you come throughout as educated. Nevertheless, utilizing advanced language within the flawed context, like in informal conversations or on a date, can backfire and make you appear pretentious and even annoying.
To keep away from having language muddy your which means depends upon whether or not you realize when and the place to make use of extra advanced phrases so that you simply add worth, as a substitute of verbal gymnastics, to the dialog. With out the fitting context, advanced phrases usually tend to make you sound pretentious than clever.
In your skilled life, you’ve got the largest probability of sounding good due to your use of advanced vocabulary. Over half of Individuals say that when somebody makes use of advanced phrases at work, they appear good. This constructive notion may go earlier than you’ve got the job as nicely, which might be why 58% have used advanced vocabulary throughout a job interview or networking occasion to seem smarter. Together with seeming extra clever, 17% say they mechanically assume that individuals who use advanced vocabulary have extra money than individuals who don’t.
Past sounding good or pretentious, using advanced phrases may also be a weapon. Over a 3rd, 35%, admit to having used a fancy phrase throughout an argument to intimidate the opposite particular person. This exhibits that language can be utilized not just for understanding but additionally to wield energy or management in conversations.
Once you’re relationship somebody, you may usually really feel such as you’re studying one thing new about them daily. You discover out their likes and dislikes and even get to know their method of talking. Whereas 34% say they use advanced phrases on a date, 35% say that when their date makes use of such language, they arrive off as pretentious. Nonetheless, 26% have used a fancy phrase on a date to attempt to impress the opposite particular person.
If you happen to’re a part of the inhabitants who actively makes use of advanced language to impress your dates, it’s not all dangerous information as a result of 27% say they’d be interested in somebody who used a fancy phrase on a date, primarily those that are Gen X. Additionally, solely 16% say somebody’s overuse of advanced phrases has been a romantic deal breaker.
Phrases that make Individuals sound pretentious
The possibilities of not initiating a watch roll by your use of advanced vocabulary are slim, as half of Individuals say they’re bothered or irritated by means of advanced phrases in on a regular basis conversations, particularly Gen Z (57%). Those that use advanced phrases in extra might encounter shorter interactions, as 29% say they’ve tried to finish a dialog with somebody who used pointless advanced phrases.
Whereas some phrases could also be used to sound smarter, others can simply come throughout as pretentious. The highest advanced phrases that make individuals sound pretentious when used are “capricious,” “equanimity,” and “sycophant.”
Nevertheless, not all phrases give off the identical vibes to each particular person. For instance, some phrases like audacious, capricious, dichotomy, juxtapose, quintessential, touché, and ubiquitous seem each on the record of phrases that individuals love to make use of to sound good and the record of phrases that make somebody sound pretentious.
Whereas many individuals use advanced phrases of their common vocabulary, some can overdo it, making it laborious to carry a significant dialog with somebody once they don’t perceive half of the phrases they’re saying. As an alternative of sounding good or pretentious, 21% suppose individuals who generally use advanced phrases are insecure. Nonetheless, 13% have included a fancy phrase in a number of of their social media bios to seem smarter.
Elevate your vocabulary with Preply
Studying a brand new phrase may be thrilling, particularly once you discover methods to combine it into your on a regular basis life. Nevertheless, the important thing to utilizing vocabulary successfully is understanding when and methods to use it, so that you simply talk your message clearly. With the ability to precisely categorical your self in numerous phrases is a prime ability that may elevate each your writing and talking that can assist you talk extra successfully with a bigger group of individuals whether or not personally or professionally.
Nevertheless, not everyone seems to be uncovered usually to frequent advanced phrases, and so it may be difficult to make use of them and actually even know what they imply. If you happen to’ve ever thought of your vocabulary to be boring compared to others and want you would use extra sophisticated-sounding phrases, Preply may help.
With the steerage of one among Preply’s devoted tutors, you may work on studying the language that may assist you to categorical your self extra clearly and confidently, and be taught the fitting context for every type of speech. Whether or not you need to take English courses or strive a enterprise English course, Preply tutors can be found that can assist you by yourself time!
Methodology
In October 2024, we surveyed 1,012 Individuals about how they really feel about using advanced phrases. Respondents ranged in age from 18 to 76 years previous and have been 50% feminine, 49% male, and 1% nonbinary.