ten-dollar word

English

Pronunciation

Audio (AU) (file)

Noun

ten-dollar word (plural ten-dollar words)

(US, idiomatic) A long and uncommon word used in place of a shorter and simpler one with the intent to appear sophisticated.
Synonyms: five-dollar word, twenty-five cent word, two-dollar word

Antonym: ten-cent word
- 2018 June 13, Michael Schein, “Author Simon Sinek Is Full Of Hot Air (And Other Reasons You Should Follow His Lead)”, in Forbes‎:
  Sometimes it pays to overcomplicate your simple messages. Make a list of ten-dollar words, scientific terms, and obscure niblets of jargon and find ways to use them. Your reputation and authority will soar.

Further reading

Jonathon Green (2024) “ten-dollar word n.”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang

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