What is the most beautiful word in the English language? A new survey has reignited the debate—and not everyone is impressed with the answer.

Language-learning app Babbel asked 1,500 members of the Poetry Society of America to choose the most beautiful word in English. After the votes were counted, “diaphanous” claimed the top spot, finishing ahead of fellow finalists “mellifluous” and “ethereal,” while “halcyon” also ranked among the favorites.

But the results have divided opinion, with critics arguing the winning words lean too heavily into overly delicate, flowery language.

For some, terms like “diaphanous,” “mellifluous,” and “ethereal” evoke an old-fashioned style of romantic writing filled with exaggerated elegance rather than genuine beauty. The reaction reflects a long-standing preference among many British writers for language that is sharper, more restrained and less sentimental.

The debate also revived two famous literary opinions on beautiful words. J.R.R. Tolkien once said that, separated from meaning and spelling, the phrase “cellar door” was among the most pleasing combinations of sounds in English. Meanwhile, novelist Henry James famously told Edith Wharton that “summer afternoon – summer afternoon” were, to him, “the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

Others argue beauty comes from words with texture, humor or personality rather than elegance. Favorites such as “toad,” “musk,” “quim,” and “smut” were praised for their punch and distinctive sound, while “oleaginous” earned admiration for the way it almost seems to slide off the tongue.

Classic expressions like “flotsam and jetsam” were celebrated for sounding far richer than simply saying “debris,” while words including “fecund,” “dilettante,” “codswallop,” “bamboozle,” “hoodwink,” and “discombobulate” were highlighted for their rhythm, humor and expressive power. Among personal favorites, “sybarite” stood out for its luxurious, sensual quality.

The discussion spread further when writers and creatives were invited to nominate their own favorites.

Author and critic Philip Hensher chose “oblong” and even recalled hearing about a couple who named their child “Utensil” simply because they loved the word.

Novelist Amanda Craig nominated “artichoke,” “meandering,” and “scallywag,” while country-house expert Jeremy Musson selected “mauve.” Critic Helen Brown favored “porridge,” and children’s author Anthony McGowan admitted he tries to work “osmium” into every book he writes.

Other suggestions ranged from the playful to the unusual, including “catamite,” “louche,” “shenanigan,” and even “fallopian tube.” Photographer Marzena Pogorzaly earned praise for choosing “hoarfrost,” while artist Steve Thomas, who led Biba’s design team during the 1970s, offered perhaps the most memorable suggestion of all: “raspberries”—but only when pronounced by a French girl.

The conversation also revealed which words have fallen out of favor. Once-popular terms like “liminal” have lost their appeal after becoming overused internet buzzwords, with “limerence” suffering a similar fate. “Opalescent” also drew criticism from those who feel it has become overly ornate.

As language continues to evolve, opinions on beauty remain deeply personal. While “diaphanous” may currently wear the crown, many believe timeless favorites like “shenanigan,” “fecund,” and “hoarfrost” will continue to endure long after today’s trends have faded.