
blubber (n.) and (v.)
As a noun, blubber refers to the thick layer of fat on whales and other marine animals – although some people also use it to refer to human body fat (especially if the person has a lot of fat!) As a verb, blubber means to cry noisily: “My five-year-old son was blubbering for hours after I took away his video game.”
debauchery (n.)
Extreme sensual pleasure (usually involving sex and/or alcohol) – “That film is full of debauchery; it’s definitely not appropriate for children.”
discombobulated (adj.)
Very confused and disorganized – “I was so discombobulated this morning that I put my car keys in the refrigerator!”
dollop (n.)
A quantity of a liquid or soft substance – “The apple pie was served with a dollop of ice cream on top.”

Image source: Dwight Burdette
doodle (n.) and (v.)
To draw informally, casually – especially when you’re preoccupied with something else. – “I doodled in the margins of my notebook while the teacher was talking.”
doozy (n.)
Something extraordinary (usually in a good way, but could be in a bad way as well):
- The whole season was great, but the last episode was a doozy.
(a really amazing/memorable episode) - The truth has finally come out about the political scandal – and it’s a doozy.
(something really shocking)
dumbfounded (adj.) / flabbergasted (adj.)
Astonished (very surprised) to the point that it’s difficult to speak. – “I was flabbergasted when I heard that John and Debbie were going to get divorced – they had seemed like such a happy couple!”
feeble (adj.)
Weak; not strong. Can be used for physical or non-physical weakness. – “He made a feeble attempt to defend himself, but everyone knew he was guilty.”
festooned (adj.)
Decorated. – “The banquet hall was festooned with chains of red and white flowers.”
finagle (v.)
To get something by indirect (and maybe tricky) methods. – “Eric finagled an extra day off from work by telling his boss it was an religious holiday – even though he’s not religious at all!”
finicky (adj.)
Describes a person who is very particular and specific in what they want, and doesn’t accept things that aren’t exactly the way they want. – “My daughter is a finicky eater. She won’t eat her dinner if two of the foods on the plate are touching each other.”
flummoxed / befuddled (adj.)
Completely confused. – “The police were befuddled by the complete lack of evidence at the crime scene.”
fuddy-duddy (n.)
A negative word for an old-fashioned person who does not accept modern trends. – “Maybe it makes me a fuddy-duddy, but I really don’t think mini-skirts are acceptable for job interviews.”
gargoyle (n.)
A statue of an animal or imaginary creature, often used in architecture to send rainwater away from the walls of the building.
giggle (v.)
To laugh with high-pitched, short sounds – like a little girl.
gobbledygook / gibberish (n.)
Words that don’t make any sense and you can’t understand them. “My one-year-old nephew can say a few words, but most of what comes out of his mouth is gibberish.”
goggles (n.)
A type of thick protective glasses, to protect your eyes from danger. You can use goggles for swimming. Scientists also use goggles in the laboratory.

Image source: Clemente
haphazard (adj.)
Dependent on chance, not well-organized or planned. “You’ll never be rich if you keep spending your money haphazardly.”
hodgepodge (n.)
A mix of random items of various types. – “This drawer contains a hodgepodge of office supplies – staples, clips, post-it notes, pencils, etc.”
hogwash (n.)
A negative term for describing facts, information, or beliefs that are ridiculous or false. – “Some people believe it’s unlucky to break a mirror, but I think that’s a bunch of hogwash.”
hoodwink (v.)
To deceive. – “The entrepreneurs hoodwinked investors by presenting the company as being more profitable than it actually was.”
hubbub / hullabaloo / ruckus (n.)
Loud noise from a confusion or agitated event. – “I looked out the window to find out the cause of the ruckus, and saw a bunch of teenagers having a party across the street.”
itty-bitty (adj.)
Informal word for “very small” – often used when talking with children. – “Look at the itty-bitty ladybug!”
pompous (adj.)
Arrogant. – “My last boss was a pompous jerk who thought he was superior to everyone else.”
rambunctious (adj.)
Describes a person (or animal) with a lot of energy, who tends to cause problems or make messes. – “I don’t know how Linda stays sane with five rambunctious kids under the age of ten.”
ramshackle (adj.)
Badly constructed, so that it is likely to fall apart. – “We crossed the river on a ramshackle bridge.”

Image: Peter Van den Bossche
shenanigans (n.)
Mischief, tricks, or problematic activities. – “George’s shenanigans got him into trouble at school.”
shrubs / shrubbery (n.)
Bushes – plants that grow thick vegetation and are close to the ground. – “The walkway to our house is lined with shrubbery.”

Image source: Becks
skedaddle (v.)
An informal word for leaving or running away. – “The neighborhood boys skedaddled after breaking a window with a baseball.”
squabble (n.) and (v.)
An argument or fight, usually over something small. – “The company’s president and vice-president are squabbling over the color of the business’ new logo.”
squeegee (n.)
A T-shaped tool used to remove water from windows and floors:
squelch (v.)
To suppress or inhibit: “This new medicine can squelch anxiety and boost your confidence.”
wishy-washy (adj.)
Describes a person who is weak in their decisions or character. – “My ex-boyfriend was so wishy-washy, he couldn’t even choose what movie to watch on a Friday night.”
I hope you end these words that sound funny. Can you think of even more silly words in English? Which ones do you think are the most fun to say?