1. Flashcards: Words that Describe Language Rhetorical and Literary Terms

2. archaic

3. language that is outdated, no longer commonly used

4. bombastic

5. language that sounds arrogant, like you’re trying to impress someone

6. colloquial

7. language that is ordinary and familiar; everyday language

8. cultured

9. educated, polished, refined, sophisticated language

10. detached

11. language that is unemotional, distant

12. esoteric

13. language that has hidden meanings; private, secret, confidential

14. euphemistic

15. language that is used to politely talk about something that is usually really offensive

16. homespun

17. language that is plain, unsophisticated; the way an “Average Joe” would speak

18. idiomatic

19. using many idioms, which are sort of unusual expressions or sayings in a particular language (like “It’s raining cats and dogs”)

20. insipid

21. language that is dull and uninteresting

22. jargon

23. language that comes from a specialized field that people within that field are familiar with (computers, sports, business)

24. learned

25. sophisticated, academic language

26. moralistic

27. language that tries to teach morals or right/wrong; writing that preaches a sort of message about life

28. obscure

29. language that has hidden meanings that are difficult to understand

30. obtuse

31. language that lacks intelligence or significant meaning; dull writing

32. pedantic

33. language that is overly concerned with little details and sounding really academic; language in which a person trying to show off how s/he is by using “big words”

34. pretentious

35. writing that exaggerates how smart a person is; when a person is trying to sound superior and brilliant

36. sensuous

37. writing that appeals to the senses, especially writing that creates a sexual or seductive mood/tone

38. trite

39. language that is worn out, full of cliches; language that doesn’t really say anything important

40. vulgar

41. language that is offensive