Here you’ll find 76 Hard words that start with R, organized from “Raconteur” to “Rusticate”. They are mostly low-frequency, polysyllabic, and sometimes technical or archaic terms useful for vocabulary building. You can use them for study, writing, editing, and test preparation.
Hard words that start with R are challenging, low-frequency entries with complex forms or specialized meanings. Many derive from Latin or French and appear in literature, law, science, and historical writing.
Below you’ll find the table with the two columns: Etymology and Definition.
Etymology: Shows the word’s origin language, root elements, and approximate date, so you understand historical meaning and formation.
Definition: Gives a concise part-of-speech plus one-sentence meaning, so you can quickly grasp usage and context.
Hard words that start with R
| Word | Part of speech | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raconteur | noun | French ‘raconter’ (to relate), early 19th century. | A person who tells anecdotes in a skillful and amusing way. |
| Ratiocination | noun | Latin ‘ratiocinari’ (to reason), mid-17th century. | The process of exact thinking or logical reasoning. |
| Raison d’être | noun | French, literally ‘reason for being’, mid-19th century. | The most important reason or purpose for someone or something’s existence. |
| Ramification | noun | Medieval Latin ‘ramificare’ (to branch out), circa 1670. | A complex or unwelcome consequence of an action or event. |
| Ramshackle | adjective | From ‘ransack’, mid-19th century. | In a state of severe disrepair; appearing ready to collapse. |
| Rancor | noun | Old French ‘rancor’ (bitterness), from Latin, 13th century. | Bitter, long-lasting resentment or ill will. |
| Rapacious | adjective | Latin ‘rapax’ (grasping), from ‘rapere’ (to seize), circa 1600. | Aggressively greedy or ravenously predatory. |
| Rapprochement | noun | French ‘rapprochement’ (a bringing closer), mid-19th century. | An establishment or resumption of harmonious relations, especially between nations. |
| Rarefy | verb | Old French ‘rarefier’, from Latin ‘rarefacere’, 15th century. | To make less dense; to make more spiritual or refined. |
| Ratihabition | noun | Latin ‘ratihabitio’ (approval, ratification), 16th century. | The confirmation or validation of an act that was done without prior authorization. |
| Rebarbative | adjective | French ‘rébarbatif’ (repellent), from Old French ‘barbe’ (beard), 19th century. | Causing annoyance, irritation, or aversion; repellent. |
| Rebus | noun | Latin ‘rēbus’ (by things), circa 1600. | A puzzle in which words are represented by combinations of pictures and letters. |
| Recalcitrant | adjective | Latin ‘recalcitrare’ (to kick back), from ‘calx’ (heel), 18th century. | Having an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline. |
| Recant | verb | Latin ‘recantare’ (to sing back, revoke), 16th century. | To say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief; to withdraw a statement. |
| Recapitulate | verb | Late Latin ‘recapitulare’ (to restate), from ‘capitulum’ (chapter), 16th century. | To summarize and state again the main points of something. |
| Recidivism | noun | French ‘récidivisme’, from Latin ‘recidere’ (to fall back), 19th century. | The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. |
| Recondite | adjective | Latin ‘reconditus’ (hidden, put away), 17th century. | Dealing with profound, difficult, or obscure subject matter. |
| Reconnoiter | verb | Old French ‘reconoistre’ (to recognize), 18th century. | To make a military observation of a region to locate an enemy or features. |
| Recreant | noun | Old French ‘recreant’ (surrendering), 14th century. | A coward or a traitor; a person who is unfaithful to a belief. |
| Recrudescent | adjective | Latin ‘recrudescere’ (to become raw again), 18th century. | Breaking out afresh or into renewed activity after a period of dormancy. |
| Rectitude | noun | Late Latin ‘rectitudo’ (straightness), from ‘rectus’ (straight), 15th century. | Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness. |
| Recumbent | adjective | Latin ‘recumbere’ (to recline), 18th century. | Lying down, especially in a position of comfort or rest. |
| Redaction | noun | Latin ‘redactio’ (a bringing back), from ‘redigere’, 18th century. | The process of editing or revising a text for publication or security purposes. |
| Redolent | adjective | Latin ‘redolere’ (to emit a scent), 15th century. | Strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something; fragrant or sweet-smelling. |
| Redoubtable | adjective | Old French ‘redoutable’, from ‘redouter’ (to fear), 14th century. | Inspiring fear or awe; formidable, especially as an opponent. |
| Redress | noun | Old French ‘redrecier’ (to set upright again), 14th century. | A remedy or compensation for a wrong or grievance. |
| Refectory | noun | Late Latin ‘refectorium’, from ‘reficere’ (to renew), 15th century. | A room used for communal meals, especially in a monastery or college. |
| Refractory | adjective | Latin ‘refractarius’ (stubborn), from ‘refragari’ (to oppose), 17th century. | Stubbornly resistant to authority or control; difficult to manage or treat. |
| Refulgent | adjective | Latin ‘refulgere’ (to shine brightly), 15th century. | Shining very brightly; radiant. |
| Regale | verb | French ‘régaler’ (to entertain), from Old French ‘gale’ (merriment), circa 1660. | To entertain or amuse someone with talk; to lavishly supply with food or drink. |
| Regnant | adjective | Latin ‘regnans’ (reigning), from ‘regnare’, 16th century. | Currently reigning or in power; widespread or predominant. |
| Reify | verb | Latin ‘res’ (thing) + ‘-ify’, from ‘facere’ (to make), 19th century. | To make an abstract concept or idea concrete or real. |
| Rejoinder | noun | Old French ‘rejoindre’ (to join again), 15th century. | A sharp or witty reply; a defendant’s answer to a plaintiff’s replication. |
| Relegate | verb | Latin ‘relegare’ (to send away, banish), 15th century. | To consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position. |
| Remiss | adjective | Latin ‘remissus’ (slack, negligent), from ‘remittere’, 15th century. | Lacking care or attention to duty; negligent. |
| Remonstrate | verb | Medieval Latin ‘remonstrare’ (to demonstrate), 16th century. | To make a forcefully reproachful protest; to plead in objection. |
| Remuneration | noun | Latin ‘remunerari’ (to repay, reward), 15th century. | Money paid for work or a service; payment or compensation. |
| Renascent | adjective | Latin ‘renasci’ (to be born again), 19th century. | Becoming active or popular again; showing renewed growth or vigor. |
| Renege | verb | From obsolete ‘renegue’, from Spanish ‘renegar’ (to deny), 16th century. | To go back on a promise, undertaking, or contract. |
| Repast | noun | Old French ‘repast’, from ‘repaistre’ (to feed), 14th century. | A meal. |
| Repine | verb | Prefix ‘re-‘ + ‘pine’ (to long for), 16th century. | To feel or express discontent; to fret or long for something. |
| Replete | adjective | Latin ‘repletus’ (filled up), from ‘replere’, 14th century. | Filled or well-supplied with something. |
| Reprehensible | adjective | Late Latin ‘reprehensibilis’, from ‘reprehendere’, 14th century. | Deserving of censure or condemnation; disgraceful. |
| Reprisal | noun | Old French ‘represaille’, from Italian ‘ripresaglia’, 14th century. | An act of retaliation, especially a military or political one. |
| Reprobate | noun | Latin ‘reprobatus’ (disapproved), from ‘reprobare’, 15th century. | An unprincipled person; a scoundrel with no moral compass. |
| Reprove | verb | Old French ‘reprover’, from Latin ‘reprobare’ (to disapprove), 13th century. | To gently criticize or correct someone for a fault; to admonish. |
| Repudiate | verb | Latin ‘repudiare’ (to reject, divorce), 16th century. | To refuse to accept or be associated with; to deny the truth or validity of. |
| Requiem | noun | Latin ‘requiem’ (rest), first word of a Mass for the dead. | A Mass for the repose of the souls of the dead; an act of remembrance. |
| Requisite | adjective | Latin ‘requirere’ (to require), 15th century. | Made necessary by particular circumstances or regulations; required. |
| Requite | verb | Middle English ‘re-‘ + ‘quite’ (to pay), 15th century. | To make an appropriate return for a favor or service; to return a feeling. |
| Rescind | verb | Latin ‘rescindere’ (to cut off, annul), 17th century. | To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law, order, or agreement. |
| Resplendent | adjective | Latin ‘resplendere’ (to shine brightly), 15th century. | Attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous. |
| Restitution | noun | Latin ‘restitutio’, from ‘restituere’ (to restore), 14th century. | The restoration of something lost or stolen to its proper owner; recompense for injury. |
| Restive | adjective | Old French ‘restif’ (stubborn), from ‘rester’ (to remain), 16th century. | Unable to keep still or silent and becoming increasingly difficult to control. |
| Reticent | adjective | Latin ‘reticere’ (to keep silent), 19th century. | Not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily. |
| Retinue | noun | Old French ‘retenue’, from ‘retenir’ (to retain), 14th century. | A group of advisers, assistants, or other followers accompanying an important person. |
| Retrenchment | noun | Old French ‘retrancher’ (to cut back), 16th century. | The reduction of costs or spending in response to economic difficulty. |
| Revenant | noun | French ‘revenant’ (returning), from ‘revenir’, 19th century. | A person who has returned, especially supposedly from the dead. |
| Revile | verb | Old French ‘reviler’ (to despise), 14th century. | To criticize in an abusive or angrily insulting manner. |
| Rhapsodize | verb | Greek ‘rhapsōidia’ (epic poem), from ‘rhaptein’ (to stitch) + ‘ōidē’ (song), 19th century. | To speak or write about someone or something with great enthusiasm and delight. |
| Rhetoric | noun | Greek ‘rhētorikē tekhnē’ (art of an orator), 14th century. | The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. |
| Ribald | adjective | Old French ‘ribaud’ (rogue), 13th century. | Referring to sexual matters in an amusingly coarse or irreverent way. |
| Rife | adjective | Old English ‘rīfe’ (prevalent), common before 12th century. | Of common occurrence; widespread (especially of something undesirable). |
| Risible | adjective | Late Latin ‘risibilis’, from ‘ridere’ (to laugh), 16th century. | Such as to provoke laughter; ludicrous. |
| Rococo | adjective | French ‘rococo’, a playful variant of ‘rocaille’ (rock-work), 19th century. | Characterized by an elaborately ornamental late baroque style of decoration. |
| Roil | verb | Perhaps from Old French ‘rouiller’ (to make muddy), 16th century. | To make a liquid turbid or muddy by disturbing the sediment; to displease or disturb. |
| Roister | verb | From French ‘rustre’ (ruffian), from Latin ‘rusticus’, 16th century. | To enjoy oneself or celebrate in a noisy, boisterous, and often drunken way. |
| Roseate | adjective | Latin ‘roseus’ (rosy), 17th century. | Rose-colored; overly optimistic or cheerful. |
| Rotund | adjective | Latin ‘rotundus’ (round), from ‘rota’ (wheel), 15th century. | Plump or round of person; sonorous of speech. |
| Rubicund | adjective | Latin ‘rubicundus’ (red, ruddy), from ‘rubere’ (to be red), 15th century. | Having a healthy, reddish color; high-colored or ruddy. |
| Rudimentary | adjective | Latin ‘rudimentum’ (a first attempt), from ‘rudis’ (unwrought), 17th century. | Involving or limited to basic principles; of an immature or undeveloped form. |
| Rue | verb | Old English ‘hrēowan’ (to make sorry), before 12th century. | To bitterly regret something one has done or allowed to happen. |
| Ruffian | noun | Probably from Italian ‘ruffiano’ (pimp), 16th century. | A violent person, especially one involved in crime. |
| Ruminate | verb | Latin ‘ruminare’ (to chew the cud), 16th century. | To think deeply about something; to chew over. |
| Runic | adjective | Old Norse ‘rún’ (secret, mystery), 17th century. | Relating to the ancient Germanic alphabet; having a mysterious or magical meaning. |
| Rusticate | verb | Latin ‘rusticus’ (of the country), from ‘rus’ (countryside), 16th century. | To go to, live in, or spend time in the country. |
Descriptions
Raconteur
This person is the life of the dinner party, captivating everyone with their witty and engaging stories. It implies a certain charm and narrative flair.
Ratiocination
A formal term often found in philosophy or detective fiction. Sherlock Holmes was a master of ratiocination, using pure logic to solve crimes.
Raison d’être
For many artists, creating is their raison d’être; it’s the fundamental purpose that drives them. It conveys a sense of essential, core identity.
Ramification
Often used in the plural, ‘ramifications’ are the unforeseen and complicated results that branch out from a single decision, like ripples in a pond.
Ramshackle
This word vividly describes a rickety old shed, a barely-running car, or any structure that seems hastily put together and poorly maintained.
Rancor
More profound than simple anger, rancor is a deep-seated bitterness that poisons relationships, often simmering for years after a conflict has ended.
Rapacious
This word goes beyond simple greed to describe a plundering, seizing nature. It can describe a rapacious landlord, a conquering army, or a bird of prey.
Rapprochement
Primarily used in diplomacy to describe the mending of relations between two formerly hostile countries. It signifies a move toward reconciliation.
Rarefy
In science, it refers to making a gas thinner. Figuratively, it can describe making an idea more esoteric or elevating a discussion to a higher, more abstract level.
Ratihabition
This is a legal term. If your agent signs a contract for you without permission, your later approval of it is called ratihabition.
Rebarbative
This describes something or someone that is grim, forbidding, and likely to put you off. Think of a deliberately unhelpful bureaucrat or a harsh, grating sound.
Rebus
For example, a picture of an eye, a heart, and a ewe would form a rebus for “I love you.” They were popular in heraldry and Victorian-era games.
Recalcitrant
This word perfectly describes a stubborn, defiant person or animal that refuses to obey orders. It implies a kicking, struggling resistance.
Recant
Often used in a formal or public context, such as a witness recanting their testimony or a heretic recanting their beliefs under pressure.
Recapitulate
Commonly shortened to “recap,” this is a formal way of saying you are going to go over the key points of a presentation, argument, or meeting.
Recidivism
This is a key term in criminology for measuring the rate at which former prisoners commit new crimes after being released.
Recondite
Use this for knowledge that isn’t just specialized but genuinely hard for outsiders to grasp, like the recondite details of quantum physics or ancient grammar.
Reconnoiter
Though military in origin, it’s used more broadly to mean “scout things out,” like reconnoitering a neighborhood before buying a house.
Recreant
An archaic and powerful insult. In medieval tales, a knight who fled from battle or betrayed his lord would be branded a recreant.
Recrudescent
Often used in a medical context to describe a disease that flares up again. It can also describe the reappearance of an old problem, like recrudescent violence.
Rectitude
This word implies a stern, unwavering moral straightness and integrity. Someone of great rectitude is a pillar of ethical conduct.
Recumbent
You might see a recumbent statue on a tomb or use the word to describe someone relaxing on a sofa. It emphasizes the horizontal posture.
Redaction
Today, it most often refers to blacking out sensitive information in a document before it is released to the public.
Redolent
A room can be redolent of cinnamon. More powerfully, a song can be redolent of a past era, evoking strong memories and feelings.
Redoubtable
A redoubtable foe is one who commands respect and even a little fear due to their skill, power, or reputation. It’s a term of high, if wary, praise.
Redress
When people seek redress, they are looking for a way to set things right after an injustice, whether through a legal settlement, an apology, or other corrective action.
Refectory
While it sounds formal, it’s simply the traditional name for a dining hall in an institution like a university, seminary, or convent.
Refractory
A refractory child defies all attempts at discipline. In medicine, a refractory illness is one that does not respond to treatment.
Refulgent
A poetic and literary word used to describe things that gleam with a brilliant light, such as refulgent armor, stars, or a person’s shining glory.
Regale
You can regale your friends with stories of your travels, or you can be regaled by a host who provides a magnificent feast.
Regnant
A queen regnant is a monarch who rules in her own right, not as a consort. The term can also describe a predominant idea or style in a particular era.
Reify
A complex philosophical term. When you treat an idea like “justice” or “society” as if it were a physical object or a person, you are reifying it.
Rejoinder
In everyday use, it’s a quick, clever comeback. In law, it is a specific type of formal response in a sequence of legal filings.
Relegate
You can be relegated to a less important task at work. In many sports leagues, the worst-performing teams are relegated to a lower division.
Remiss
To be remiss is to fail to do something you should have done. One might say, “I would be remiss if I didn’t thank our hosts for their generosity.”
Remonstrate
This isn’t just disagreeing; it’s formally protesting or arguing against a decision or action, often with a sense of grievance.
Remuneration
A formal and official-sounding word for what you earn. Your salary, bonuses, and benefits all constitute your remuneration.
Renascent
This word describes a revival or rebirth. You could speak of a renascent interest in classical music or the renascent spirit of a community after a disaster.
Renege
A strong word for breaking a deal or failing to follow through on your word. It often carries a sense of betrayal or untrustworthiness.
Repast
A formal and somewhat old-fashioned word for a meal, often a substantial one. You might read about a “sumptuous repast” in a classic novel.
Repine
An archaic and literary word for moping or complaining. Someone might repine at their bad fortune or for a lost love.
Replete
Often followed by “with,” it means “full of.” A book can be replete with historical details, or you can feel replete after a large holiday dinner.
Reprehensible
This is a strong term of moral disapproval for actions that are unequivocally wrong, like cheating, lying, or cruelty.
Reprisal
Unlike personal revenge, a reprisal is often a calculated, official act of retaliation by one state or group against another for a perceived wrong.
Reprobate
Originally a religious term for someone damned, it now describes a person who is shamelessly immoral or corrupt, often with a hint of roguish charm.
Reprove
Milder than ‘rebuke’ or ‘scold’, reproving is often done with the intention of helping the person improve, like a teacher reproving a student for being distracted.
Repudiate
A strong and formal verb of rejection. A politician might repudiate an extremist group’s endorsement, or a scientist might repudiate a flawed theory.
Requiem
Most famously, it refers to a musical composition for a funeral service. By extension, it can mean any solemn tribute to someone who has died.
Requisite
This is a more formal word than ‘required’ or ‘necessary’. Before starting the project, we had to get the requisite approvals from the board.
Requite
You can requite a kindness with another kindness. It’s often used for love; “unrequited love” is love that is not returned.
Rescind
A formal, often legal, term for taking back a decision. The company decided to rescind the job offer, or the government rescinded the unpopular policy.
Resplendent
A word used to describe dazzling beauty and magnificence. Think of a queen in her resplendent coronation robes or a landscape resplendent in autumn colors.
Restitution
Often a legal requirement. A court may order the thief to make restitution to their victim, either by returning the goods or paying for their value.
Restive
This word is often mistaken for ‘restful’, but it means the opposite. It describes a crowd growing impatient or a horse that won’t stand still.
Reticent
This describes someone who is reserved or uncommunicative by nature, not out of shyness, but more from a thoughtful or private disposition.
Retinue
You’ll often hear this word in the context of royalty, celebrities, or high-level officials who travel with their staff and entourage.
Retrenchment
A word frequently used in business and government. When a company announces a retrenchment, it usually means downsizing and layoffs are coming.
Revenant
A literary and supernatural term for a ghost or reanimated corpse that has come back to haunt the living.
Revile
This is not just criticism; it’s using harsh, contemptuous language to attack or denounce someone. Political opponents often revile each other in the press.
Rhapsodize
When you rhapsodize, you are gushing with praise. A food critic might rhapsodize about a perfect meal.
Rhetoric
While it can be used negatively to mean “empty talk,” its primary meaning refers to the skillful use of language to persuade, inform, or motivate an audience.
Ribald
Ribald humor is bawdy, earthy, and often inappropriate for polite company, but it’s generally meant to be funny rather than truly offensive.
Rife
This word suggests that something, usually bad, is absolutely everywhere. The city was rife with corruption and rumors.
Risible
A formal word for something that is so absurd or ridiculous that it’s laughable. The politician’s excuse for the scandal was risible.
Rococo
Originating in art history, it is now used to describe anything that is overly elaborate, ornate, or fussy, from prose to furniture.
Roil
The storm roiled the sea. Figuratively, it means to stir up anger or turmoil. The controversial decision roiled the entire community.
Roister
This word evokes images of loud, rowdy merrymaking, like carousing pirates in a tavern or students after a big win.
Roseate
Literally, it means rosy pink. Figuratively, to see the world through roseate glasses is to have an unrealistically positive view of things.
Rotund
While it can describe any round shape, it is most often a gentler, more formal word for a person who is stout or corpulent.
Rubicund
A literary word often used to describe a cheerful, rosy-cheeked person, perhaps one who enjoys good food and drink. Think of a classic depiction of Santa Claus.
Rudimentary
Having a rudimentary understanding of a subject means you know only the very basics. It can also describe a simple, primitive tool.
Rue
A strong, literary word for regret. If you make a bad decision, you may live to “rue the day” it happened.
Ruffian
This word paints a picture of a tough, lawless brute or thug. It’s a bit old-fashioned but effectively conveys a sense of coarseness and physical threat.
Ruminate
Cows ruminate by chewing their cud. Humans ruminate by turning a thought over and over in their minds, contemplating it from all angles.
Runic
Runes were the letters used by Vikings and other Germanic peoples. The word ‘runic’ now carries a connotation of ancient magic, secrets, and mystery.
Rusticate
A somewhat formal verb for “moving to the countryside.” It can also refer to a university temporarily suspending a student as a form of punishment.