Hard spelling bee words are challenging -- and FUN -- to learn! We have lots on our website. Start with this list of 25 words and meanings, then check out the links at the bottom of the page to find more.
1. questionnaire - noun: a list of questions; survey
2. unconscious - adjective: not conscious; without awareness
3. precocious - adjective: unusually mature, especially in mental development
4. liaison - noun: a person who maintains a connection between people or groups
5. surveillance - noun: continuous observation of a person, place, or activity in order to gather information
6. chrysanthemum - noun: a widely cultivated plant with brightly-colored showy flower heads
7. idiosyncrasy - noun: a tendency, habit or mannerism that is peculiar to an individual; a quirk
8. chauffeur - noun: a person hired to drive a private automobile or limousine
9. onomatopoeia - noun: the formation of a word by imitation of a sound of the noise or action described, such as hiss, honk, or meow.
10. conscientious- adjective: careful, particular, taking great care
11. demitasse - noun: small coffee cup
12. vengeance - noun: punishment inflicted for a wrong done to oneself or another person; revenge
13. prospicience - noun: the act of looking forward; foresight
14. acquiesce - verb: to accept as inevitable; to comply passively
15. malfeasance - noun: conduct by a public official that violates the public trust or is against the law
16. irascible - adjective: irritable, quick-tempered
17. antediluvian - adjective: 1. of or relating to the period before the Biblical flood 2. old-fashioned; antiquated
18. foudroyant - adjective: sudden and overwhelming; stunning
19. eudemonic - adjective: pertaining to conducive to happiness
20. logorrhea - noun: excessive and often incoherent talkativeness
21. pterodactyl - noun: any of various extinct flying reptiles, having no feathers
22. stichomythia - noun: dialogue, especially a dispute, delivered in alternating lines
23. feuilleton - noun: part of a European newspaper or magazine with content designed to entertain the reader
25. milquetoast - noun: a timid, unassertive, or apologetic person
25. chrematistic - adjective: of or relating to making money
...then please check out my collections of 100 Difficult Spelling Bee Words and definitions! These are perfect for adult spelling bees or the final words of school competitions. Read all the details!
You may also be interested in these spelling bee word lists:
5th grade 6th grade 7th grade 8th grade
Here are more lists that you can use when compiling your own list of hard spelling bee words:
7th grade spelling words - 300 words that provide practice in important grade-level words.
8th grade spelling words - 250 challenging words for the growing vocabularies of junior high students
9th grade spelling words - 200 words, tough enough to challenge most adults!
See all the word lists on this page of Difficult English Spelling Words.
300 Spelling Bee Words by Grade Level, with definitions, sentences and languages
Spelling Bee Toolboxes for Grades 3/5 and 6/8 All the resources you need for a successful bee!
Mammoth Spelling Bee Word Lists with sentences, definitions, and languages
Monumental Spelling Bee Word Lists with definitions, sentences and languages
Young Spellers Spelling Bee Word List for Grades 1 & 2
100 Difficult Spelling Bee Words, Definitions & Sentences My toughest lists, for upper grades and adults!
600 Spelling Bee Words & Sentences for Gr 3/5 & 6/8 Extra words & sentences at two levels