Merriam-Webster recommends adding “austere” into your vocabulary as a way to “enrich a conversation without sounding ridiculous.” The word means to be “marked by rigorous restraint, simplicity, or self-denial” and can be used to replace other descriptive words like “simple” or “plain.” And for words that just made it into the dictionary, here are 20 Words You Won’t Believe Are in the Dictionary Now. Susan Mackey-Kallis, an associate professor at Villanova University who teaches public speaking, told The New York Times that using the word “like” too often is a surefire way to make yourself sound less intelligent, especially to those older than you. Unfortunately, many people use “like” as a filler word when speaking. To help yourself sound smarter, switch it out. Instead of “like,” use the word “namely,” which is just another way to say “such as” or “that is.” And for more words to get rid of, learn which 4 Words the Dictionary Says You Should Stop Using. “Per se” is a phrase with Latin origins, used when referring to a single, particular thing. According to Vocabulary.com, in Latin it means “by itself,” and it’s a simple phrase that you can inject into sentences to make yourself sound more intelligent. And if you’re over a certain age, make sure you know The One Word Older People Should Never Say. “Facade” is another word with foreign origins that will make you sound smart. According to Merriam-Webster, you can use this word in several ways: It can be a synonym for “fake,” or used to describe “the front of a building.” And for more words to dazzle friends with, discover The 50 Most Beautiful Words in the English Language—And How to Use Them. Sure, you can describe something as “small,” or even “tiny,” but that can grow tiresome. Instead, use the word “infinitesimal,” which means “immeasurably or incalculably small.” In fact, according to Merriam-Webster, this word actually “derives from the mathematical concept that a quantity can be divided endlessly; no matter how small, it can be subdivided into yet smaller fractions, or ‘infinitesimals.’” And for more useful content delivered straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb
