If you were to ask 100 different people to pick the most beautiful word in the English language, you’d probably get 100 different answers. There’s a seemingly endless list to choose from, as some words evoke pleasant memories, while others sound mellifluous to the ear. While there’s no way to reach a universal consensus, many esteemed linguists have favorites of their own. These are a few of them.
Accomplished linguist Dr. Robert Beard compiled a list of what he personally considers to be the 100 most beautiful English words. Up first — at least alphabetically — is “ailurophile,” which appropriately sounds quite alluring. The word, which essentially means “cat lover,” is derived from the Greek ailuros, meaning “cat,” and phile, meaning “lover.” Its origins date back to the 1910s, though the word continues to make the hearts of linguists purr today. Not only does it sound pleasant, but it also evokes the beautiful connection that humans have with their beloved pets.
In 1995, wordsmith David Crystal unveiled a “matrix of criteria” that maps what makes certain words more beautiful than others. The word “tremulous” — meaning “shaking or quivering slightly” — fit every category. According to Crystal, beautiful words should contain three or more syllables, put a stress on the first syllable, and include an /m/ sound (as in “make”) and an /l/ sound (as in “all”). Six additional criteria relate to different manners of articulation and sounds made with different parts of the mouth, and “tremulous” hits every mark to a T, much to Crystal’s delight.
According to lifelong lexicographer Wilfred J. Funk, “murmuring” is one of the most beautiful English words. It’s defined as a soft, low sound, often spoken by a person or group, though the meaning isn’t the only reason it’s considered so beautiful. Rather, it’s the way the word is pronounced, with a double /m/ sound, as we touched on in the prior section. Three syllables and a wider variety of tones make “murmuring” more appealing than just “murmur.” According to Funk’s list, other beautiful words include “hush,” “lullaby,” and “luminous,” all of which sound pleasant and evoke positive feelings.
Lucy Bella Simkins, a popular British YouTuber with over 12 million subscribers, created a video of 15 of the most beautiful English words. “Nefarious” — a word with a less beautiful meaning of “wicked or criminal” — made her list. Despite the criminal connotation, Simkins maintains the word is delightful to say and hear due to its expressiveness. She also praises the /eə/ sound in the middle, which adds to its euphonic appeal.
The British Council — a U.K. organization for cultural relations — conducted a 2004 survey among 40,000 non-English speakers to find the most beautiful word in English. The result was “mother,” beating out runners-up “passion” and “smile.” Chris Wade, the organization’s director of communications, noted, “All of us have a mother and have a reasonable idea of who that person is. It’s one piece of certainty we can have and it’s a very powerful word in a variety of cultures.” The word clearly evokes comfort in many cultures around the world, adding to its beauty.
In 1911, the Public Speaking Club of America offered a prize to challenge people to come up with the most beautiful English words, based on sound and meaning. New York lawyer James Shea submitted 21 words that were accepted, one of which was “radiance,” meaning “light or heat as emitted or reflected by something.” Both the sound and meaning of the word earned it a spot on the list, alongside “happiness” and “splendor.” “Grace” and “justice,” however, were disqualified for the harsh sounds made by the first letters.
We’d be remiss if we left off what some consider to be the most beautiful pairing of words in the English language: “cellar door.” Many have praised this combo for its euphonious sound. Journalist H. L. Mencken called it “intrinsically musical, in clang-tint and rhythm,” while Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien was a noted fan of its beauty. In 1963, author C. S. Lewis admitted his astonishment when he saw the phrase written as “Selladore,” which he found an “enchanting proper name.”
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