8 Words That Are Only Used in One Weirdly Specific Context

The English language is certainly bizarre in the best way. Some of it is totally run-of-the-mill, and some of it is full of words that only seem to appear in one extremely specific situation.

No one just casually mentions “extenuating” anything in everyday conversation. And when’s the last time someone used “diametrically” without talking about someone being diametrically opposed to something?

So let’s take a little stroll through eight words that only show up in one weirdly specific context.

1. Inclement (Weather)
2. Extenuating (Circumstances)
3. Diametrically (Opposed)
4. Bode (Well/Ill)
5. Hermetically (Sealed)
6. Pyrrhic (Victory)
7. Batten Down (the Hatches)
8. Contiguous (United States)

Inclement (Weather)

If you’ve ever heard the word “inclement” outside of local news broadcasts, please step forward, because we know you’re lying. Inclement doesn’t describe a bad mood; it exists solely to warn you that a storm is coming. 

Extenuating (Circumstances)

Imagine saying, “Sorry, I’m late, there were extenuating… errands.” It just doesn’t work! Extenuating was born to modify “circumstances,” and the two have been a package deal ever since. 

Diametrically (Opposed)

Diametrically has one job: heighten drama. No one is ever diametrically aligned, and no one is diametrically friends. The word exists exclusively to describe people who disagree so deeply that they need a dedicated term for it.

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Bode (Well/Ill)

Bode is a free agent in theory, but let’s be honest: you’ve only ever seen it next to “well” or “ill.” (And yeah, I suppose this is technically cheating, but it’s still a pretty exclusive word!)

Hermetically (Sealed)

Now, this word is a little “underground,” if you will. Hermetically sealed sounds like something out of a sci-fi lab, but it mostly refers to food packaging and those little foil seals you peel off with your teeth, even though you’re not supposed to.

Pyrrhic (Victory)

Another five-dollar word for you: Pyrrhic is the word you learn once in English class, forget for 10 years, then suddenly remember. Essentially, it means “victory,” but a victory that comes at a deep personal cost.

Batten Down (the Hatches)

Batten is a word that spends its life preparing metaphorical ships (and emotional adults) for metaphorical storms. You don’t batten down a tote bag; you don’t batten down your meal prep. You batten down those hatches!

Contiguous (United States)

Contiguous technically means “touching,” but 99% of its appearances involve either a map or the phrase “excluding Alaska and Hawaii.” It’s extremely niche, yet it’s still a term that you’ll see when you’re looking at cheap flights.

English is full of these little linguistic oddities. Some may be outdated, sure, but one thing remains true: We sound incredibly smart when we use them the right way!