This list includes 69 Hard words that start with P, from “pabulum” to “pyrrhic”. They are often low-frequency, polysyllabic, or technical words useful for students, writers, editors, and vocabulary builders.
Hard words that start with P are challenging vocabulary items that tend to be rare, specialized, or archaic. For example, “pyrrhic” recalls ancient King Pyrrhus and the phrase “pyrrhic victory.”
Below you’ll find the table with Etymology and Definition.
Etymology: You get the word’s origin language, root elements, and approximate date to clarify historical meaning.
Definition: Practical one-sentence definitions with part of speech, giving you a quick, clear sense of how each word is used.
Hard words that start with P
| Word | Part of speech | Pronunciation | Etymology |
|---|---|---|---|
| pabulum | noun | (PAB-yuh-lum) | Latin `pabulum` ‘fodder’, from `pascere` ‘to feed’, from the 17th century. |
| palaver | noun | (puh-LAV-er) | Portuguese `palavra` ‘word’, from Latin `parabola`, from the 18th century. |
| palimpsest | noun | (PAL-imp-sest) | Greek `palin` ‘again’ + `psēstos` ‘rubbed smooth’, from the 17th century. |
| palliate | verb | (PAL-ee-ate) | Late Latin `palliatus` ‘cloaked’, from the 15th century. |
| panacea | noun | (pan-uh-SEE-uh) | Greek `pan` ‘all’ + `akos` ‘remedy’, from the 16th century. |
| panache | noun | (puh-NASH) | French `panache` ‘plume on a helmet’, from Italian `pennacchio`, from the 19th century. |
| panegyric | noun | (pan-uh-JAI-rik) | Greek `panegyrikos` ‘of a public assembly’, from the 17th century. |
| panjandrum | noun | (pan-JAN-drum) | An invented word from a 1755 nonsense story by Samuel Foote. |
| paroxysm | noun | (PAR-uk-siz-um) | Greek `paroxysmos`, from `para-` ‘beyond’ + `oxynein` ‘sharpen’, from the 17th century. |
| parsimonious | adjective | (par-suh-MOH-nee-us) | From Latin `parsimonia` ‘sparingness’, from the 16th century. |
| parvenu | noun | (PAR-vuh-noo) | French `parvenu` ‘arrived’, from the 19th century. |
| pastiche | noun | (pas-TEESH) | French, from Italian `pasticcio` ‘pie’, from the 19th century. |
| paucity | noun | (PAW-si-tee) | Latin `paucitas`, from `paucus` ‘few’, from the 15th century. |
| peccadillo | noun | (pek-uh-DIL-oh) | Spanish `pecadillo` ‘little sin’, from the 16th century. |
| peculate | verb | (PEK-yuh-late) | Latin `peculatus` ’embezzle’, from the 18th century. |
| pedantic | adjective | (puh-DAN-tik) | From `pedant`, a formal teacher, from the 17th century. |
| pejorative | adjective | (pi-JOR-uh-tiv) | Late Latin `peiorare` ‘to make worse’, from the 19th century. |
| pellucid | adjective | (puh-LOO-sid) | Latin `pellucidus`, from `per-` ‘through’ + `lucidus` ‘lucid’, from the 17th century. |
| penurious | adjective | (puh-NYOOR-ee-us) | Latin `penuria` ‘want, need’, from the 16th century. |
| peregrination | noun | (per-i-gruh-NAY-shun) | Latin `peregrinatio`, from `peregrinari` ‘to travel abroad’, from the 15th century. |
| peremptory | adjective | (puh-REMP-tuh-ree) | Late Latin `peremptorius` ‘destructive, decisive’, from the 16th century. |
| perfidy | noun | (PUR-fi-dee) | Latin `perfidia`, from `per-` ‘detrimentally’ + `fides` ‘faith’, from the 16th century. |
| perfunctory | adjective | (per-FUNK-tuh-ree) | Late Latin `perfunctorius` ‘done carelessly’, from `per-` ‘through’ + `fungi` ‘perform’. |
| pernicious | adjective | (per-NISH-us) | Latin `perniciosus` ‘destructive’, from `per-` ‘completely’ + `nex` ‘violent death’. |
| perspicacious | adjective | (pur-spuh-KAY-shus) | Latin `perspicax` ‘sharp-sighted’, from the 17th century. |
| pertinacious | adjective | (pur-tuh-NAY-shus) | Latin `pertinax`, from `per-` ‘thoroughly’ + `tenax` ‘tenacious’, from the 17th century. |
| petrichor | noun | (PET-ri-kor) | Coined 1964 from Greek `petra` ‘stone’ + `ichor` ‘fluid of the gods’. |
| philistine | noun | (FIL-uh-steen) | From the biblical Philistine people, enemies of the Israelites. |
| phlegmatic | adjective | (fleg-MAT-ik) | Greek `phlegmatikos`, from `phlegma`, one of the four humors. |
| picaresque | adjective | (pik-uh-RESK) | Spanish `picaresco`, from `pícaro` ‘rogue’, from the 18th century. |
| pithy | adjective | (PITH-ee) | From Old English `piþa` ‘pith, core’. |
| placate | verb | (PLAY-kate) | Latin `placatus`, past participle of `placare` ‘to please, soothe’, from the 17th century. |
| platitude | noun | (PLAT-i-tood) | French, from `plat` ‘flat’, from the 19th century. |
| plebeian | adjective | (pluh-BEE-un) | Latin `plebeius`, from `plebs` ‘the common people’. |
| plebiscite | noun | (PLEB-uh-site) | Latin `plebiscitum`, from `plebs` ‘the common people’ + `scitum` ‘decree’. |
| plenipotentiary | noun | (plen-uh-puh-TEN-shee-er-ee) | Medieval Latin `plenipotentiarius`, from `plenus` ‘full’ + `potens` ‘powerful’. |
| pleonasm | noun | (PLEE-oh-naz-um) | Greek `pleonasmos`, from `pleon` ‘more’, from the 16th century. |
| polemic | noun | (puh-LEM-ik) | Greek `polemikos`, from `polemos` ‘war’, from the 17th century. |
| poltroon | noun | (pol-TROON) | Italian `poltrone` ‘coward’, perhaps from `poltro` ‘colt’, from the 16th century. |
| polyglot | noun | (POL-ee-glot) | Greek `polyglōttos`, from `poly-` ‘many’ + `glōtta` ‘tongue’, from the 17th century. |
| portentous | adjective | (por-TEN-tus) | Latin `portentosus`, from `portentum` ‘portent’, from the 16th century. |
| postprandial | adjective | (post-PRAN-dee-ul) | Latin `post` ‘after’ + `prandium` ‘a meal’, from the 19th century. |
| precipitous | adjective | (pri-SIP-i-tus) | Latin `praeceps` ‘headlong’, from `prae` ‘before’ + `caput` ‘head’, from the 17th century. |
| precocious | adjective | (pri-KOH-shus) | Latin `praecox`, from `prae-` ‘before’ + `coquere` ‘to cook, ripen’, from the 17th century. |
| predilection | noun | (pred-l-EK-shun) | French `prédilection`, from Latin `prae-` ‘before’ + `diligere` ‘to love’, from the 18th century. |
| prelapsarian | adjective | (pree-lap-SAIR-ee-un) | Latin `prae-` ‘before’ + `lapsus` ‘a fall’, from the 17th century. |
| preponderance | noun | (pri-PON-der-uns) | Latin `praeponderare` ‘outweigh’, from the 16th century. |
| prescient | adjective | (PRESH-ee-unt) | Latin `praesciens`, from `prae-` ‘before’ + `scire` ‘to know’, from the 15th century. |
| prevaricate | verb | (pri-VAR-i-kate) | Latin `praevaricatus` ‘walked crookedly, transgressed’, from the 16th century. |
| probity | noun | (PROH-bi-tee) | Latin `probitas`, from `probus` ‘good’, from the 15th century. |
| proclivity | noun | (proh-KLIV-i-tee) | Latin `proclivitas`, from `proclivis` ‘downhill’, from the 16th century. |
| prodigal | adjective | (PROD-i-gul) | Late Latin `prodigalis`, from `prodigere` ‘drive away, waste’, from the 14th century. |
| prodigious | adjective | (pruh-DIJ-us) | Latin `prodigiosus`, from `prodigium` ‘portent’, from the 15th century. |
| profligate | adjective | (PROF-li-git) | Latin `profligatus` ‘ruined, dissolute’, from the 16th century. |
| prognosticate | verb | (prog-NOS-ti-kate) | From Greek `prognōstikos` ‘foreknowing’, from the 15th century. |
| prolix | adjective | (proh-LIKS) | Latin `prolixus` ‘poured forth, extended’, from the 15th century. |
| promulgate | verb | (PROM-ul-gate) | Latin `promulgatus` ‘made public’, from the 16th century. |
| propinquity | noun | (proh-PING-kwi-tee) | Latin `propinquitas`, from `prope` ‘near’, from the 15th century. |
| propitiate | verb | (proh-PISH-ee-ate) | Latin `propitiare` ‘make favorable’, from the 16th century. |
| prosaic | adjective | (proh-ZAY-ik) | Latin `prosaicus`, from `prosa` ‘straightforward discourse’, from the 16th century. |
| proscribe | verb | (proh-SKRAIB) | Latin `proscribere` ‘publish, outlaw’, from the 16th century. |
| protean | adjective | (PROH-tee-un) | From Proteus, a Greek sea god who could change shape, from the 16th century. |
| puerile | adjective | (PYOO-er-ile) | Latin `puerilis`, from `puer` ‘boy’, from the 17th century. |
| pugnacious | adjective | (pug-NAY-shus) | Latin `pugnax`, from `pugnare` ‘to fight’, from the 17th century. |
| pulchritudinous | adjective | (pul-kri-TOOD-n-us) | Latin `pulchritudo` ‘beauty’, from the 19th century. |
| punctilious | adjective | (punk-TIL-ee-us) | Italian `puntiglio` ‘fine point’, from the 17th century. |
| pusillanimous | adjective | (pyoo-suh-LAN-uh-mus) | Late Latin `pusillanimis`, from `pusillus` ‘very small’ + `animus` ‘spirit’, from the 15th century. |
| putative | adjective | (PYOO-tuh-tiv) | Late Latin `putativus`, from `putare` ‘to think’, from the 15th century. |
| pyrrhic | adjective | (PIR-ik) | From Pyrrhus, a king who won a battle but lost too many soldiers. |
Descriptions
pabulum
Bland or simplistic intellectual fare, entertainment, or writing. It’s often used dismissively to describe content that lacks any real substance or depth.
palaver
Prolonged and idle talk; unnecessarily elaborate or complex procedure. You might refer to a long, pointless meeting as a great deal of palaver.
palimpsest
A manuscript on which later writing has been superimposed on effaced earlier writing. Metaphorically, it can describe something with multiple layers of history or meaning.
palliate
To make a disease or its symptoms less severe without removing the cause. It can also mean to disguise the seriousness of an offense to make it seem better.
panacea
A solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases. It is often used skeptically to suggest that such an easy, all-curing solution doesn’t really exist.
panache
Flamboyant confidence of style or manner. It describes a kind of dashing, stylish flair in action, appearance, or performance.
panegyric
A public speech or published text in praise of someone or something. It’s a form of high, formal praise, like a eulogy for a living person.
panjandrum
A person who has or claims to have a great deal of authority. It is often used humorously or mockingly to refer to a self-important official.
paroxysm
A sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity. One can have a paroxysm of laughter, rage, or coughing.
parsimonious
Unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal. It carries a more negative connotation than simply being thrifty or careful with money.
parvenu
A person of humble origin who has gained wealth and status. The term often implies they are uncultured and not accepted by the established elite.
pastiche
An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period. It can be a respectful tribute or a gentle parody.
paucity
The presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities; a scarcity. You might speak of a paucity of evidence or a paucity of funds.
peccadillo
A small, relatively unimportant offense or sin. It refers to a minor fault or transgression that is easily forgiven.
peculate
To embezzle or steal money, especially public funds. It’s a formal term for a specific type of theft by someone in a position of trust.
pedantic
Excessively concerned with minor details, rules, or with displaying academic learning. Describes someone who corrects small errors in an annoying way.
pejorative
Expressing contempt or disapproval. A pejorative term is one that is used as an insult or to belittle someone or something.
pellucid
Translucently clear; easily understood. It can describe beautifully clear water or a wonderfully clear explanation.
penurious
Extremely poor or poverty-stricken. It can also mean parsimonious or stingy, unwilling to spend money.
peregrination
A long or meandering journey. It implies a sense of wandering or pilgrimage rather than a direct trip from one point to another.
peremptory
Insisting on immediate attention or obedience, especially in a brusquely imperious way. A peremptory command is not to be questioned or ignored.
perfidy
Deceitfulness; untrustworthiness. An act of perfidy is a calculated betrayal of trust, often considered the worst kind of disloyalty.
perfunctory
Carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection. A perfunctory greeting is one done out of habit, without real feeling or interest.
pernicious
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. A pernicious rumor can destroy a reputation over time.
perspicacious
Having a ready insight into and understanding of things. It describes someone who is mentally keen and able to see through complexity.
pertinacious
Holding firmly to an opinion or a course of action. It can mean being admirably persistent or being stubbornly unyielding.
petrichor
A pleasant, earthy smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of dry weather.
philistine
A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts. It’s used to describe someone with no appreciation for intellectual pursuits.
phlegmatic
Having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition. A phlegmatic person remains composed, even in a crisis.
picaresque
Relating to an episodic style of fiction dealing with the adventures of a rough and dishonest but appealing hero.
pithy
Concise and forcefully expressive. A pithy comment gets straight to the point in a clever and effective way.
placate
To make someone less angry or hostile, typically by making concessions. You might placate an upset customer with an apology and a refund.
platitude
A remark or statement, especially one with a moral content, that has been used too often to be interesting or thoughtful. “Everything happens for a reason” is a common platitude.
plebeian
Of or belonging to the commoners of ancient Rome; lacking in refinement. It is often used as a derogatory term for something considered coarse or vulgar.
plebiscite
The direct vote of all the members of an electorate on an important public question, such as a change in the constitution.
plenipotentiary
A person, especially a diplomat, invested with the full power of an independent agent to act on behalf of their government.
pleonasm
The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, either as a fault of style or for emphasis. “A free gift” is a common pleonasm.
polemic
A strong verbal or written attack on someone or something. Polemics are common in politics, religion, and academia.
poltroon
An utter coward. This is a very strong and old-fashioned insult for someone who is shamefully fearful.
polyglot
A person who knows and is able to use several languages. The word can also be used as an adjective.
portentous
Of or like a portent; done in a pompously or overly solemn manner to impress. It can mean ominous or self-important.
postprandial
Occurring or done after a meal. A postprandial nap is a common desire after a large lunch, as is a postprandial walk.
precipitous
Dangerously high or steep. It can also describe an action done suddenly and without careful consideration.
precocious
Having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual. It often describes a surprisingly mature or talented child.
predilection
A preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something. You might have a predilection for spicy food or classical music.
prelapsarian
Characteristic of the time before the Fall of Man; innocent and unspoiled. It describes a state of blissful, naive happiness.
preponderance
The quality or fact of being greater in number, quantity, or importance. A preponderance of evidence in a trial suggests guilt.
prescient
Having or showing knowledge of events before they take place. A prescient warning is one that proves to be true.
prevaricate
To speak or act in an evasive way; to beat around the bush. It’s a formal way of saying someone is avoiding the direct truth.
probity
The quality of having strong moral principles; complete honesty and decency. It is a highly valued trait in judges and public officials.
proclivity
A tendency to choose or do something regularly; an inclination or predisposition. Often used for a tendency that is not admirable.
prodigal
Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant. Known from the biblical parable of the prodigal son.
prodigious
Remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree. It can describe a prodigious talent or a prodigious appetite.
profligate
Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources. It can also mean licentious or dissolute in one’s lifestyle.
prognosticate
To foretell or prophesy an event in the future. It’s a more formal synonym for ‘predict’ or ‘forecast’.
prolix
Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy. A prolix speech or piece of writing bores the audience with its unnecessary length.
promulgate
To promote or make an idea or cause widely known. It also means to put a law or decree into effect by official proclamation.
propinquity
The state of being close to someone or something; proximity. It can refer to physical closeness or nearness in a relationship.
propitiate
To win or regain the favor of a god, spirit, or person by doing something that pleases them, such as making a sacrifice.
prosaic
Having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty. It’s often used to mean commonplace, unromantic, or dull.
proscribe
To forbid, especially by law; to denounce or condemn. This is the opposite of ‘prescribe’ (to recommend).
protean
Tending or able to change frequently or easily; versatile. It can describe an actor’s range or a rapidly changing situation.
puerile
Childishly silly and trivial. It’s a dismissive term for immature or juvenile behavior, especially in an adult.
pugnacious
Eager or quick to argue, quarrel, or fight. A pugnacious person is combative and enjoys a good scrap.
pulchritudinous
Characterized by great physical beauty and appeal. It’s a very formal and somewhat ostentatious word for ‘beautiful’.
punctilious
Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior. A punctilious host ensures every aspect of a party is perfect.
pusillanimous
Showing a lack of courage or determination; timid. It’s a formal and contemptuous word for cowardly.
putative
Generally considered or reputed to be. The putative leader is the person assumed to be in charge, even if not officially.
pyrrhic
Won at too great a cost to have been worthwhile for the victor. A Pyrrhic victory is one that feels like a defeat.