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Quiz: Guess the meaning of these winning words from spelling bees

Study International Staff

08 May 2019

Are you a wizard with words?

You might want to rethink that after you’ve seen some of the tough words thrown at spelling bee participants, including those from the Scripps National Spelling Bee competition, in the US.

Spelling bees are known for their challenging and, at times, hard-to-pronounce words, and seem to be getting tougher over the years (if that’s even possible!).

However, if you’re a logophile and wouldn’t miss an opportunity to put your knowledge to test, here are some winning words from the Scripps dating back to 1925 to get your juices flowing.

All definitions are according to Merriam Webster.

1. Koinonia

Source: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images/North America/AFP

An intimate spiritual communion and participative sharing in a common religious commitment and spiritual community

A type of freshwater fish native to Southeast Asia

Correct! Wrong!

2. Insouciant

Source: Shutterstock

The art of cutting paper into decorative designs

Lighthearted unconcern

Correct! Wrong!

3. Cymotrichous

Source: Shutterstock

Any of a genus (Gladiolus) of chiefly African perennial plants of the iris family with erect sword-shaped leaves and spikes of brilliantly colored irregular flowers arising from corms

Having the hair wavy

Correct! Wrong!