You’ve seen it happen. Someone walks into a boardroom or jumps on a Zoom call and starts dropping "synergistic," "paradigmatic," or "perfunctory" like they’re winning a game of Scrabble. Honestly, it’s exhausting. Most people think using high level english words is a shortcut to looking like the smartest person in the room. It isn't. Usually, it just makes you look like you're trying way too hard to hide a lack of substance.
Writing or speaking with sophistication isn't about the syllable count. It’s about precision. If you use "utilize" when "use" works perfectly, you aren't being fancy; you're being redundant.
The Fluency Trap and Why We Overcomplicate
There’s this weird psychological phenomenon called the "Lake Wobegon Effect," where we all think we’re above average. In language, this manifests as people reaching for complex vocabulary to signal status. We call these "prestige words." But here’s the kicker: research from Princeton University—specifically a famous paper by Daniel Oppenheimer titled Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Irrespective of Necessity—suggests that using unnecessarily complex language actually makes people perceive you as less intelligent.
Complexity creates a cognitive load.
When your listener has to pause to translate a word like "recalcitrant" in their head, they stop listening to your actual point. You’ve lost them. They’re stuck on the vocabulary while you’ve moved on to the strategy. It’s a communication breakdown masquerading as intellect.
When "Obfuscation" is the Goal
Sometimes people use high level english words specifically because they don't want to be understood. It’s a classic move in corporate "doublespeak." If a company says they are "restructuring to optimize human capital synergies," they mean they are firing people. This kind of language acts as a shield. It’s cold. It’s detached.
If you’re trying to build trust, this is the quickest way to kill it.
Precision vs. Pretentiousness
There is a time and a place, though. High-level vocabulary exists for a reason: precision. Take the word "mellifluous." You could say a voice is "sweet and smooth," but mellifluous captures a very specific, honey-like quality of sound that three simple words might miss.
The rule is simple. If the "big" word adds a layer of meaning that a "small" word can't, use it. If it’s just a shiny hat for a boring idea, take it off.
Breaking Down the Heavy Hitters
Let's look at some words that people actually use in high-stakes environments and where they usually go wrong.
Equanimity. It sounds like a math equation. It basically means mental calmness, especially in a difficult situation. If you’re a pilot and the engine fails, you need equanimity. If you just dropped your toast, you’re probably just "annoyed." Using "equanimity" at a brunch table makes you sound like a Victorian novelist who got lost in time.
Anachronistic. This one is actually useful. It describes something that is out of its proper time. Like seeing a Starbucks cup in a medieval drama (looking at you, Game of Thrones). It’s a specific concept that doesn't have a great "simple" synonym. That’s a good use of a high-level word.
Grandiloquent. This is the ultimate irony. It describes someone who uses big words to impress people. If you call someone grandiloquent, you are, by definition, being a bit grandiloquent yourself. It’s a linguistic trap.
📖 Related: Why Are Cosmic Brownies Getting Banned? The Real Story Behind the Lunchbox Classic
The Evolution of "Smart" Talk
Language isn't static. In the 18th century, being a "man of letters" meant you wrote in winding, Latinate sentences that lasted for half a page. Read some Edward Gibbon if you want a headache. But today, our brains are wired for the "inverted pyramid" style of the digital age. We want the "too long; didn't read" version first.
Modern high-level English is moving toward clarity. The most sophisticated speakers today—think of people like Brené Brown or the late Steve Jobs—don't use complex words to show off. They use them to anchor big ideas. Jobs didn't talk about "portable digital telephonic interfaces." He talked about "an iPod, a phone, and an internet communicator."
He used simple words to sell a complex revolution.
How to Actually Improve Your Vocabulary Without Being "That Person"
If you really want to level up your English, stop reading "word of the day" calendars. They give you words without context. Instead, read long-form journalism from places like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, or The Economist.
You’ll notice those writers use high level english words, but they tuck them into sentences so naturally you almost don't notice. They use "fastidious" to describe a chef’s plating technique. They use "capricious" to describe a volatile stock market. The word fits the environment.
💡 You might also like: Old Heidelberg Bakery Phoenix: Why This No-Frills Shop Is Still the Best in Town
Contextual Intelligence
Vocabulary is like salt. A little bit brings out the flavor of your ideas. Too much and the whole thing is inedible.
- Know your audience. If you’re talking to a group of engineers, technical jargon is fine. If you’re talking to a client, keep it grounded.
- The "Grandma Test." If you couldn't explain your point to your grandmother using the words you've chosen, you probably don't understand the topic well enough yourself.
- Verbs over Adjectives. Sophisticated English relies on strong verbs. Instead of saying someone "walked very quietly and nervously," say they "skulked." It’s a higher-level word, but it’s punchy and visual.
The Misunderstood "Nuance"
People often throw the word "nuance" around when they just mean "detail." Nuance is about the subtle shades of difference. If you’re discussing a complex political issue, you need nuance. If you’re talking about why you like chocolate over vanilla, you just have a preference. Don't over-egg the pudding.
Actionable Steps for Better Communication
Stop trying to memorize lists. It’s a waste of time and you'll use the words incorrectly anyway, which is the ultimate "low-level" move.
Instead, focus on reading widely. When you encounter a word you don't know, don't just look up the definition. Look up the etymology. Understanding that "benevolent" comes from bene (good) and velle (to wish) helps you categorize it in your brain alongside "benefit" and "benign."
Practice the "Eraser Method." Write an email. Go back through and find every word with more than three syllables. Ask yourself: "Does this word make my point clearer, or just longer?" If it’s just longer, delete it.
Listen for the "Gaps." Sometimes you feel a "gap" in your speech where you can't find the right word for a specific feeling or situation. That is when you should go searching for a high-level word. Don't start with the word and try to find a place for it; start with the thought and find the word that fits it like a glove.
True linguistic mastery isn't about knowing the biggest words in the dictionary. It’s about having the discipline not to use them unless they are absolutely necessary. The most powerful thing you can say is often the simplest.
Start prioritizing the "impact" of your words over the "impressiveness" of them. You'll find that people listen a lot closer when they don't have to keep a dictionary open while you speak. Focus on clarity, brevity, and the occasional perfectly-placed "ten-dollar word" to give your speech some texture. That is the real secret to high-level communication.