Quick answer
Epicaricacy means pleasure felt at another person’s misfortune. It is usually pronounced ep-ih-KAR-ih-kuh-see, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Epicaricacy
Epicaricacy means pleasure felt at another person’s misfortune. It belongs to fake-sounding but real words and works best in moments when you want a real word that still sounds invented. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
fake-soundingreal-wordodd
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, epicaricacy refers to pleasure felt at another person’s misfortune. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Epicaricacy feels absurd because its repeated sounds give it a bounce or wobble that makes the word feel half descriptive and half sound effect.
Origin and history
Epicaricacy is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Epicaricacy is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as epicaricacy.
- In the novel, one epicaricacy is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used epicaricacy in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain epicaricacy before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating epicaricacy because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use epicaricacy when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in moments when you want a real word that still sounds invented.
Similar words
absquatulate, agelast, bellows, blunderbuss, borborygmus
Opposite or contrasting words
familiar vocabulary, standard wording, predictable language
Common questions
- What does epicaricacy mean? pleasure felt at another person’s misfortune.
- How do you pronounce epicaricacy? It is commonly pronounced ep-ih-KAR-ih-kuh-see.
- Is epicaricacy still used today? Epicaricacy is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use epicaricacy? Use epicaricacy when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in moments when you want a real word that still sounds invented.
- What words are similar to epicaricacy? Similar words include absquatulate, agelast, bellows, and blunderbuss.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.