This list includes 40 Big words that start with J, from “jactation” to “juxtapositional”. They are mostly polysyllabic and formal, often showing Latin or French influence. Use them in academic writing, creative prose, speeches, or to expand your vocabulary.
Big words that start with J are advanced, often polysyllabic terms that carry formal or specialized meanings. Notable examples such as “jactation” show how Latin roots persist in modern English.
Below you’ll find the table with Word, Etymology, and Definition.
Word: Each entry shows the headword so you can scan spellings and find the word quickly.
Etymology: Notes the word’s origin and root elements so you see historical meaning and connections.
Definition: A concise, one-sentence meaning helps you use the word correctly in context or writing.
Big words that start with J
| Word | Part of speech | Syllables | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| juxtaposition | noun | 5 | Latin “juxta” near + “ponere” to place |
| juxtapose | verb | 3 | Latin “juxta” near + “ponere” to place |
| jurisprudence | noun | 4 | Latin “jus” law + “prudentia” knowledge |
| jurisprudential | adjective | 5 | Latin “jus” law + “prudentia” knowledge |
| judiciary | noun | 5 | Latin “judicium” judgment |
| juridical | adjective | 4 | Latin “juridicus” pertaining to judgment, from “jus” law |
| jurisdiction | noun | 4 | Latin “jus” law + “dictio” saying; law-speaking |
| jurisdictional | adjective | 5 | Latin “jus” law + “dictio” saying |
| justiciable | adjective | 4 | Latin “justiciabilis” able to be judged, from “jus” law |
| justiciar | noun | 4 | Old French/Latin “justiciarius” officer of justice |
| judicature | noun | 4 | Latin “judicatura” from “judicare” to judge |
| judicatory | noun | 5 | Latin “judicatus” judged; relating to judgment |
| judicial | adjective | 3 | Latin “judicialis” of judgment, from “judex” judge |
| justification | noun | 5 | Latin “justificare” make right, from “jus” law |
| justificatory | adjective | 5 | Latin “justificare” make right |
| justifiable | adjective | 5 | Latin “justificare” make right |
| juvenility | noun | 5 | Latin “juvenilis” youthful, from “juvenis” young |
| juvenescent | adjective | 4 | Latin “juvenescere” to grow young, from “juvenis” |
| juvenescence | noun | 4 | Latin “juvenescere” to grow young |
| juvenile | adjective | 3 | Latin “juvenilis” youthful |
| jejunal | adjective | 3 | Latin “jejunum” fasting |
| jejunostomy | noun | 5 | Latin “jejunum” fasting + Greek “stoma” opening |
| jejunectomy | noun | 5 | Latin “jejunum” fasting + Greek “ektome” excision |
| jejunorrhaphy | noun | 5 | Latin “jejunum” fasting + Greek “rhaphē” suture |
| jeremiad | noun | 4 | Hebrew “Yirmeyahu” via Latin/Old French, prophet’s lament |
| jactation | noun | 3 | Latin “jactare” to toss or boast |
| jactitate | verb | 3 | Latin “jactitare” to toss about |
| jocularity | noun | 5 | Latin “jocularis” playful, from “jocus” joke |
| jocundity | noun | 4 | Latin “jucundus” pleasant, from “jucundus” |
| jocosely | adverb | 4 | Latin “jocularis” playful, from “jocus” joke |
| jubilation | noun | 4 | Latin “jubilare” to shout for joy |
| jubilant | adjective | 3 | Latin “jubilans” shouting for joy |
| jubilatory | adjective | 5 | Latin “jubilare” to shout for joy |
| jubilee | noun | 3 | Hebrew via Latin/Old Testament tradition; celebratory year |
| juggernaut | noun | 3 | Hindi “Jagannāth” via English, originally a deity’s chariot |
| jingoism | noun | 3 | English “by jingo” exclamation + “-ism” |
| jingoistic | adjective | 4 | English “by jingo” exclamation + “-istic” |
| journalese | noun | 3 | French “journal” + “-ese” style suffix |
| journalistic | adjective | 4 | French “journal” + “-istic” |
| juxtapositional | adjective | 6 | Latin “juxta” near + “ponere” to place |
Descriptions
juxtaposition
A formal term for placing things side by side for comparison or contrast; common in literary and analytical writing.
juxtapose
To place two things close together for effect or comparison, often used in criticism and art analysis.
jurisprudence
The theory or philosophy of law; a formal word used in legal scholarship and higher education.
jurisprudential
Relating to jurisprudence or legal theory; used in academic and professional legal contexts.
judiciary
The system of courts and judges; a formal collective term used in legal and civic discussion.
juridical
Relating to legal processes or courts; more formal than everyday “legal.”
jurisdiction
A legal or authoritative area of control, often used in law, governance, and administration.
jurisdictional
Pertaining to jurisdiction; used in legal, administrative, and constitutional contexts.
justiciable
Describes a dispute or issue that can properly be decided by a court.
justiciar
A historical or formal title for a high judicial officer, sometimes used in legal history.
judicature
A formal term for the office or function of judges and courts.
judicatory
A formal word for a court or deliberative body that makes judicial decisions.
judicial
Relating to judges, courts, or legal judgments; standard formal usage in law.
justification
A reason or explanation that shows something to be right or acceptable; common in formal argumentation.
justificatory
Serving to justify or excuse; used in philosophical, legal, and critical contexts.
justifiable
Able to be shown as reasonable or defensible; used in moral, legal, and rhetorical discussions.
juvenility
The quality or state of youthfulness; a literary or academic term.
juvenescent
Becoming young or youthful in appearance; chiefly literary and uncommon.
juvenescence
The process or state of becoming youthful; a literary noun.
juvenile
Describing youth or immaturity; used both clinically and in formal descriptions.
jejunal
Relating to the jejunum (part of the small intestine); technical medical adjective.
jejunostomy
A surgical opening into the jejunum; a technical medical term.
jejunectomy
Surgical removal of part or all of the jejunum; specialized medical vocabulary.
jejunorrhaphy
Surgical suturing of the jejunum; technical surgical term.
jeremiad
A long lamentation or complaint, often moralizing; literary word for a severe denunciation.
jactation
Boasting or restless tossing; used in literary, medical, and legal contexts (e.g., “jactitation”).
jactitate
To toss or toss about figuratively; rare and chiefly literary or medical.
jocularity
Playful joking or merriment, used in literate registers and critique of tone.
jocundity
Cheerfulness or pleasantness; a somewhat literary synonym of joviality.
jocosely
In a playful or joking manner; used in literary and descriptive prose.
jubilation
A loud or exuberant expression of joy; formal and celebratory term.
jubilant
Feeling or expressing great joy; common but suitable for formal prose.
jubilatory
Expressing or intended to express jubilation; formal and somewhat literary.
jubilee
A special anniversary or celebration, often formal and ceremonial.
juggernaut
A massive, unstoppable force or institution; common metaphor in high-register writing.
jingoism
Aggressive patriotism or bellicose foreign policy advocacy; used in political commentary.
jingoistic
Describing belligerent nationalism or bellicose rhetoric; pejorative and formal.
journalese
The characteristic style or clichés of newspapers; often used critically in media studies.
journalistic
Relating to journalism; a formal descriptor for media practice and writing.
juxtapositional
Pertaining to juxtaposition; a more technical or emphatic form used in analytic writing.