This list includes 88 Hard words that start with D, from “dactylology” to “duplicity”. Many entries are polysyllabic, low-frequency, or specialized. You can use them for writing, editing, vocabulary study, and advanced English tests.
Hard words that start with D are challenging, often low-frequency terms with precise or specialized meanings. For example, “dactylology” refers to finger‑spelling, a practice important in deaf communication history.
Below you’ll find the table with the Etymology and Definition columns.
Etymology: Shows each word’s language of origin, root elements, and approximate date so you grasp historical meaning and connections.
Definition: Gives a one-sentence part-of-speech label plus a clear sense so you can understand and use the word correctly.
Hard words that start with D
| Word | Part of speech | Pronunciation | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| dactylology | noun | /dækˌtɪˈlɒlədʒi/ | Greek `daktylos` (finger) + `logia` (study), c. 1644. |
| dalliance | noun | /ˈdæliəns/ | Old French `dalier` (to chat), c. 1400. |
| dastardly | adjective | /ˈdæstərdli/ | Middle English `dastard` (dullard), 1560s. |
| debenture | noun | /dɪˈbɛntʃər/ | Latin `debentur` (they are due), c. 1455. |
| debilitate | verb | /dɪˈbɪlɪteɪt/ | Latin `debilitare` (to weaken), 1530s. |
| declension | noun | /dɪˈklɛnʃən/ | Latin `declinare` (to bend away), c. 1400. |
| declivity | noun | /dɪˈklɪvɪti/ | Latin `declivitas` (a sloping place), c. 1600. |
| decolletage | noun | /ˌdeɪkɒlˈtɑːʒ/ | French `décolleter` (to bare the neck), 1831. |
| decorous | adjective | /ˈdɛkərəs/ | Latin `decorus` (seemly), 1620s. |
| decrepitude | noun | /dɪˈkrɛpɪtjuːd/ | Latin `decrepitus` (very old), c. 1400. |
| decretal | noun | /dɪˈkriːtəl/ | Latin `decretum` (decree), 13th century. |
| defalcation | noun | /ˌdiːfælˈkeɪʃən/ | Latin `defalcare` (to cut off with a sickle), 1540s. |
| defenestration | noun | /diːˌfɛnɪˈstreɪʃən/ | Latin `de` (from) + `fenestra` (window), 1620. |
| dehort | verb | /dɪˈhɔːrt/ | Latin `dehortari` (to dissuade), 1530s. |
| deific | adjective | /diːˈɪfɪk/ | Latin `deus` (god) + `facere` (to make), 1640s. |
| deipnosophist | noun | /daɪpˈnɒsəfɪst/ | Greek `deipnon` (dinner) + `sophistes` (master), c. 1600. |
| delation | noun | /dɪˈleɪʃən/ | Latin `delatio` (an accusation), c. 1500. |
| deleterious | adjective | /ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəriəs/ | Greek `dēlētērios` (noxious), c. 1640. |
| deliquesce | verb | /ˌdɛlɪˈkwɛs/ | Latin `deliquescere` (to melt away), 1755. |
| delitescent | adjective | /ˌdɛlɪˈtɛsənt/ | Latin `delitescere` (to lie hidden), c. 1727. |
| demagogue | noun | /ˈdɛməɡɒɡ/ | Greek `dēmos` (people) + `agōgos` (leading), 1640s. |
| demesne | noun | /dɪˈmeɪn/ | Old French `demeine` (held in one’s own hand), c. 1300. |
| demiurge | noun | /ˈdɛmiɜːrdʒ/ | Greek `dēmiourgos` (public worker), c. 1600. |
| demulcent | adjective | /dɪˈmʌlsənt/ | Latin `demulcere` (to soothe), 1670s. |
| demur | verb | /dɪˈmɜːr/ | Old French `demorer` (to delay), c. 1200. |
| denizen | noun | /ˈdɛnɪzən/ | Anglo-Norman `deinzein` (one within), c. 1400. |
| denouement | noun | /ˌdeɪnuːˈmɒ̃/ | French `dénouer` (to untie), 1752. |
| depauperate | adjective | /dɪˈpɔːpərɪt/ | Latin `depauperare` (to make poor), 1650s. |
| depone | verb | /dɪˈpoʊn/ | Latin `deponere` (to put down), 15th century. |
| depredation | noun | /ˌdɛprɪˈdeɪʃən/ | Latin `depraedari` (to plunder), c. 1400. |
| deracinate | verb | /dɪˈræsɪneɪt/ | French `déraciner` (to uproot), 1590s. |
| dereliction | noun | /ˌdɛrəˈlɪkʃən/ | Latin `derelictio` (desertion), 1610s. |
| descant | verb | /dɛsˈkænt/ | Old French `deschant` (refrain), c. 1300. |
| desiderate | verb | /dɪˈsɪdəreɪt/ | Latin `desiderare` (to long for), 1640s. |
| desideratum | noun | /dɪˌsɪdəˈrɑːtəm/ | Latin `desideratum` (something desired), 1650s. |
| desiccate | verb | /ˈdɛsɪkeɪt/ | Latin `desiccare` (to dry up), 1570s. |
| desuetude | noun | /ˈdɛswɪtjuːd/ | Latin `desuetudo` (disuse), c. 1600. |
| desultory | adjective | /ˈdɛsəltəri/ | Latin `desultor` (a circus rider who jumps from horse to horse), 1580s. |
| detritus | noun | /dɪˈtraɪtəs/ | Latin `deterere` (to wear away), 1794. |
| detumescence | noun | /ˌdiːtjuːˈmɛsəns/ | Latin `tumescere` (to swell), 1801. |
| deuteragonist | noun | /ˌdjuːtəˈræɡənɪst/ | Greek `deuteros` (second) + `agōnistēs` (actor), 1874. |
| diablerie | noun | /diˈɑːbləri/ | French `diable` (devil), 1801. |
| diachronic | adjective | /ˌdaɪəˈkrɒnɪk/ | Greek `dia` (through) + `khronos` (time), 1877. |
| diaphanous | adjective | /daɪˈæfənəs/ | Greek `diaphainein` (to show through), 1610s. |
| diatribe | noun | /ˈdaɪətraɪb/ | Greek `diatribē` (discourse), c. 1600. |
| didactic | adjective | /daɪˈdæktɪk/ | Greek `didaktikos` (apt at teaching), 1640s. |
| diffidence | noun | /ˈdɪfɪdəns/ | Latin `diffidere` (to mistrust), c. 1400. |
| dilettante | noun | /ˌdɪlɪˈtænti/ | Italian `dilettare` (to delight), 1733. |
| dilatory | adjective | /ˈdɪlətəri/ | Latin `dilatorius` (delaying), 15th century. |
| dipsomania | noun | /ˌdɪpsəˈmeɪniə/ | Greek `dipsa` (thirst) + `mania` (madness), 1836. |
| dirge | noun | /dɜːrdʒ/ | Latin `dirige` (direct), c. 1200. |
| disabuse | verb | /ˌdɪsəˈbjuːz/ | French `désabuser` (to undeceive), 1610s. |
| disapprobation | noun | /ˌdɪsˌæprəˈbeɪʃən/ | Latin `dis` (not) + `approbatio` (approval), 1620s. |
| discalced | adjective | /dɪsˈkælst/ | Latin `discalceatus` (unshod), c. 1600. |
| discarnate | adjective | /dɪsˈkɑːrnət/ | Latin `dis` (not) + `caro` (flesh), 1889. |
| discomfit | verb | /dɪsˈkʌmfɪt/ | Old French `desconfire` (to defeat), c. 1300. |
| discombobulate | verb | /ˌdɪskəmˈbɒbjʊleɪt/ | American English alteration of `discompose`, c. 1834. |
| disconsolate | adjective | /dɪsˈkɒnsəlɪt/ | Latin `disconsolatus` (inconsolable), 1530s. |
| discursive | adjective | /dɪsˈkɜːrsɪv/ | Latin `discurrere` (to run about), 1590s. |
| disinter | verb | /ˌdɪsɪnˈtɜːr/ | Old French `desenterrer`, 1530s. |
| disinterested | adjective | /dɪsˈɪntrəstɪd/ | Prefix `dis-` + `interested`, c. 1600. |
| dispassionate | adjective | /dɪsˈpæʃənət/ | Prefix `dis-` + `passionate`, 1640s. |
| disport | verb | /dɪˈspɔːrt/ | Old French `desporter` (to carry away), c. 1300. |
| disquisition | noun | /ˌdɪskwɪˈzɪʃən/ | Latin `disquirere` (to investigate), c. 1600. |
| dissemble | verb | /dɪˈsɛmbəl/ | Old French `dessembler` (to be different), c. 1400. |
| dissimulate | verb | /dɪˈsɪmjʊleɪt/ | Latin `dissimulare` (to hide), 15th century. |
| dissolute | adjective | /ˈdɪsəluːt/ | Latin `dissolutus` (loose), c. 1400. |
| distaff | noun | /ˈdɪstɑːf/ | Old English `distæf`, c. 1000. |
| dithyramb | noun | /ˈdɪθɪræm/ | Greek `dithurambos`, c. 1600. |
| diuresis | noun | /ˌdaɪjʊˈriːsɪs/ | Greek `diourein` (to urinate), 1680s. |
| diurnal | adjective | /daɪˈɜːrnəl/ | Latin `diurnalis` (daily), 15th century. |
| divagate | verb | /ˈdaɪvəɡeɪt/ | Latin `divagari` (to wander about), 1570s. |
| divaricate | verb | /daɪˈværɪkeɪt/ | Latin `divaricare` (to spread apart), 1620s. |
| docent | noun | /ˈdoʊsənt/ | Latin `docere` (to teach), 1878. |
| doctrinaire | adjective | /ˌdɒktrɪˈnɛər/ | French `doctrinaire`, 1819. |
| doggerel | noun | /ˈdɒɡərəl/ | Middle English `dogerel`, c. 1300. |
| dolorous | adjective | /ˈdɒlərəs/ | Latin `dolorosus` (painful), 15th century. |
| domicile | noun | /ˈdɒmɪsaɪl/ | Latin `domicilium` (dwelling), 15th century. |
| donnybrook | noun | /ˈdɒnibrʊk/ | Donnybrook Fair, Dublin, Ireland, 1852. |
| doughty | adjective | /ˈdaʊti/ | Old English `dohtig` (competent), before 12th century. |
| doyen | noun | /ˈdɔɪən/ | French `doyen` (dean), 1795. |
| draconian | adjective | /drəˈkoʊniən/ | Greek `Drakōn` (Athenian lawgiver), 1876. |
| droll | adjective | /droʊl/ | French `drôle` (odd fellow), 1620s. |
| dross | noun | /drɒs/ | Old English `dros` (dregs), before 12th century. |
| dubiety | noun | /djuːˈbaɪəti/ | Latin `dubietas` (doubt), c. 1500. |
| dulcet | adjective | /ˈdʌlsɪt/ | Old French `doucet` (sweetish), c. 1400. |
| dulcify | verb | /ˈdʌlsɪfaɪ/ | Latin `dulcis` (sweet) + `facere` (to make), 15th century. |
| duplicity | noun | /djuːˈplɪsɪti/ | Latin `duplicitas` (doubleness), 15th century. |
Descriptions
dactylology
Noun for the technique of communicating through hand signals and finger spelling, especially as used by people who are deaf.
dalliance
Noun describing a casual romantic relationship, or a brief, non-serious involvement with something.
dastardly
Adjective used to describe a wicked, cruel, and cowardly action or person.
debenture
Noun for a type of long-term, unsecured loan certificate issued by a company to raise funds, backed only by general credit.
debilitate
Verb meaning to make someone or something very weak and infirm.
declension
Noun for the variation of the form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective, by which its grammatical case, number, and gender are identified.
declivity
Noun for a downward slope, like the side of a hill.
decolletage
Noun referring to the low neckline on a woman’s dress or top, or to the upper part of a woman’s torso that is exposed by it.
decorous
Adjective meaning in keeping with good taste and propriety; polite and restrained.
decrepitude
Noun for the state of being worn out or ruined as a result of old age or neglect.
decretal
Noun for a papal decree, especially one forming part of canon law.
defalcation
Noun for the misappropriation of money by a person trusted with its care; embezzlement.
defenestration
Noun for the action of throwing someone out of a window.
dehort
Verb meaning to strongly advise or dissuade someone from a course of action.
deific
Adjective meaning of or relating to a god; divine or godlike.
deipnosophist
Noun for a person who is a master of the art of dining and conversation at the dinner table.
delation
Noun for the act of accusing or informing against someone, especially in a secret or treacherous manner.
deleterious
Adjective meaning causing harm or damage.
deliquesce
Verb for a solid that absorbs moisture from the air until it dissolves, or to melt away.
delitescent
Adjective meaning concealed or lying hidden.
demagogue
Noun for a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument.
demesne
Noun for a piece of land attached to a manor and retained by the owner for their own use; a person’s territory or domain.
demiurge
Noun for a being responsible for the creation of the universe, often seen as subordinate to a supreme being in some philosophical systems.
demulcent
Adjective describing a substance that relieves irritation of mucous membranes, such as in the throat.
demur
Verb meaning to raise doubts or objections or show reluctance.
denizen
Noun for an inhabitant or occupant of a particular place.
denouement
Noun for the final part of a play, movie, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved.
depauperate
Adjective describing something that is lacking in number or variety of species, often referring to impoverished flora or fauna.
depone
Verb meaning to testify under oath; to depose.
depredation
Noun for an act of attacking or plundering.
deracinate
Verb meaning to tear something up by the roots; to remove or separate from a native environment or culture.
dereliction
Noun for the shameful failure to fulfill one’s duty or obligations.
descant
Verb meaning to talk tediously or at length on a particular topic.
desiderate
Verb meaning to feel a keen desire for something that is lost or absent.
desideratum
Noun for something that is needed or wanted.
desiccate
Verb meaning to remove the moisture from something, typically in order to preserve it.
desuetude
Noun for a state of disuse.
desultory
Adjective meaning lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm; occurring randomly or occasionally.
detritus
Noun for waste or debris of any kind, or loose material resulting from rock disintegration.
detumescence
Noun for the process of subsiding from a state of swelling or erection.
deuteragonist
Noun for the person second in importance to the protagonist in a drama.
diablerie
Noun for reckless mischief, sorcery, or demonic lore.
diachronic
Adjective meaning concerned with the way in which something, especially language, has developed and evolved through time.
diaphanous
Adjective describing light, delicate, and translucent fabric.
diatribe
Noun for a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.
didactic
Adjective intended to teach, particularly in having moral instruction as an ulterior motive.
diffidence
Noun for modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.
dilettante
Noun for a person who cultivates an area of interest, such as the arts, without real commitment or knowledge.
dilatory
Adjective meaning slow to act or intended to cause delay.
dipsomania
Noun for an uncontrollable craving for alcohol; alcoholism.
dirge
Noun for a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite.
disabuse
Verb meaning to persuade someone that an idea or belief is mistaken.
disapprobation
Noun for strong disapproval, typically on moral grounds.
discalced
Adjective meaning unshod or barefoot, especially when referring to a member of a religious order.
discarnate
Adjective meaning not having a physical body.
discomfit
Verb meaning to make someone feel uneasy, embarrassed, or perplexed.
discombobulate
Verb meaning to disconcert or confuse someone.
disconsolate
Adjective meaning without consolation or comfort; unhappy.
discursive
Adjective for digressing from subject to subject; fluent and expansive.
disinter
Verb meaning to dig up something that has been buried, especially a corpse.
disinterested
Adjective meaning not influenced by considerations of personal advantage; impartial.
dispassionate
Adjective meaning not influenced by strong emotion, and so able to be rational and impartial.
disport
Verb meaning to enjoy oneself unrestrainedly; to frolic.
disquisition
Noun for a long or elaborate essay or discussion on a particular subject.
dissemble
Verb meaning to conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs.
dissimulate
Verb meaning to conceal or disguise one’s thoughts, feelings, or character; to feign.
dissolute
Adjective describing a person lax in morals; licentious.
distaff
Noun for a stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound for spinning, often used as a symbol of women’s work or the maternal side of a family.
dithyramb
Noun for a passionate or inflated speech, poem, or other writing.
diuresis
Noun for an increased or excessive production of urine by the kidneys.
diurnal
Adjective meaning of or during the day; active during the daytime.
divagate
Verb meaning to stray or digress from a subject.
divaricate
Verb meaning to stretch or spread apart; to diverge.
docent
Noun for a person who acts as a guide, typically on a voluntary basis, in a museum, art gallery, or zoo.
doctrinaire
Adjective describing a person who seeks to impose a doctrine in a dogmatic, unyielding way, without regard to practical considerations.
doggerel
Noun for verse or words that are badly written or expressed, often for comic effect.
dolorous
Adjective meaning feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress.
domicile
Noun for the country that a person treats as their permanent home, or lives in and has a substantial connection with.
donnybrook
Noun for a scene of uproar and disorder; a heated argument or brawl.
doughty
Adjective meaning brave and persistent; valiant.
doyen
Noun for the most respected or prominent person in a particular field.
draconian
Adjective describing laws or their application that are excessively harsh and severe.
droll
Adjective meaning curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement.
dross
Noun for something regarded as worthless; rubbish.
dubiety
Noun for the state or quality of being doubtful; uncertainty.
dulcet
Adjective describing a sound that is sweet and soothing, often with an ironic connotation.
dulcify
Verb meaning to sweeten or to make more agreeable.
duplicity
Noun for deceitfulness; double-dealing.