Quagmire, a bad situation; a bog
Quean, (Archaic) a shrew; a prostitute
Qui vive, lookout
Quicksilver, mercury
Quid pro quo, an exchange
Quiddity, the thing that makes something what it is
Quixotic, unrealistic and idealistic
Quoit, a ring used in a throwing game; (Archaic) to throw
Quondam, former
Raiment, (Archaic) clothes
Raison d'être, the reason for something's existence
Rapacious, greedy and predatory
Rapine, the forceful taking of someone's property
Rapprochement, reconciliation, especially between two nations
Rara Avis, a rarity
Ratsbane, (Archaic) rat poison
Raven, (Archaic) to hunt; to ravage and devour
Recherché, elegant, refined, exotic, and rare
Redbreast, a robin
Redingote, a man's coat worn in the 18th and 19th centuries; a woman's long coat
Redolent, suggestive of; scented with/smelling of; (Archaic) sweet smelling
Regalia, the full dress of formal or traditional ceremonies
Regatta, a boat race event
Relegate, to downgrade
Relume, to relight
Reverie, a daydream; an unrealistic idea
Rhabdomancy, divination using wands, staffs, or sticks
Ribaldry, course, indelicate, or salacious behavior
Rigmarole, a long speech or rant
Rivulet, a small stream
Roseate, rose-colored; idealistic
Roseate, the color of a rose; optimistic
Rostrum, a platform
Rote, the mechanical repetition of something in order to memorize it
Roughcast, unrefined, of a person
Rove, to drift or wander
Ruellia, a petunia
Rus in urbe, a country in the city, or a country-like park or garden in the city
Ruth, pity/compassion
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Dictionary of Rare and Pretty Words
RandomA dictionary for people who want beautiful, specific, or rare words. it's good for poetry, academic, fictitious, or non-fiction writing. Most of the words would work better in creative writing. The dictionary currently contains over 900 words with...
