11 Letter Words That Start With J [LIST]

If you’re looking to expand your vocabulary with some impressive and uncommon words, exploring 11 letter words that start with the letter ‘J’ is a great place to start. The letter ‘J’ isn’t the most frequently used in the English language, but it still leads to a diverse range of fascinating words across different fields such as science, literature, and everyday conversation. Whether you’re a crossword enthusiast or someone just looking to enhance your language skills, learning these longer words can add depth and variety to your communication. In this article, we will explore a list of 11 letter words that begin with ‘J’ and provide their meanings, usage, and some interesting facts about each one.

From technical terms like ‘justifiable’ to more poetic expressions like “jubilantly”, these words offer a mix of meanings and applications. Some of these words may be familiar, while others may be entirely new to you, allowing for a broader understanding of the English language. We’ll delve into their definitions, spellings, and how you can incorporate them into your writing or daily conversations. Whether you’re studying for a spelling bee, looking for words to use in creative writing, or simply curious about new vocabulary, this list is sure to provide you with plenty of inspiration.

11 Letter Words That Start With J

1. jubilantly

Jubilantly means expressing or showing great joy, happiness, or celebration. It conveys a sense of overwhelming positivity and enthusiasm.

Examples

• The crowd cheered jubilantly as the team scored the winning goal.
• After hearing the good news, she smiled jubilantly, feeling the weight lift off her shoulders.

2. judgemental

Judgemental refers to a tendency to form opinions or make critical assessments, often without full understanding or sympathy.

Examples

• She was often criticised for her judgemental attitude toward people who didn’t share her opinions.
• Being overly judgemental can cause unnecessary tension in relationships.

3. juxtaposing

Juxtaposing refers to placing two or more elements side by side, often to highlight contrasts or differences.

Examples

• The artist enjoyed juxtaposing modern designs with traditional themes in his work.
• The book is an exploration of two cultures juxtaposing their values and traditions.

4. jeopardized

Jeopardized means put in danger or at risk, typically referring to something valuable or important.

Examples

• His careless decision jeopardized the future of the entire project.
• The company’s financial security was jeopardized when it failed to diversify its investments.

5. juvenility

Juvenility refers to the qualities or characteristics associated with being young or immature, often relating to behavior or attitude.

Examples

• The senator’s remarks on juvenility were seen as a call for more youth engagement in politics.
• Despite his age, he displayed an unusual level of juvenility in his mannerisms.

6. jackfruited

Jackfruited refers to something related to or resembling the jackfruit, a large tropical fruit known for its distinctive taste and texture.

Examples

• The jackfruited tree in the garden produced large, spiky fruits that were harvested every summer.
• Jackfruited trees are commonly found in tropical regions, where their fruit is used in various culinary dishes.

7. jurisprudent

Jurisprudent refers to a legal scholar or expert in law, particularly one who studies the theory or philosophy of law.

Examples

• The professor was a renowned jurisprudent, having written extensively on constitutional law.
• Her jurisprudent analysis of the case was insightful and influential in the court’s decision.

8. jurisdiction

Jurisdiction refers to the official power or authority to make legal decisions and judgments, often related to a specific geographic area or area of law.

Examples

• The case was dismissed because it fell outside the court’s jurisdiction.
• The company expanded its operations to new jurisdictions in Europe and Asia.

9. jealousness

Jealousness is the state of feeling envy or resentment toward someone else’s achievements, possessions, or relationships.

Examples

• Her jealousness towards her colleague’s success led to a strained friendship.
• Jealousness can be a natural reaction to perceived threats, but it should be managed carefully.

10. jubilations

Jubilations refer to expressions of great joy or celebration, often involving cheering, singing, and other festive activities.

Examples

• The jubilations continued throughout the night after the team’s victory.
• His promotion was met with jubilations from his colleagues.

11. journalisms

Journalisms refers to the activities and practices associated with gathering, writing, and reporting news and information.

Examples

• The field of journalisms has drastically changed with the rise of digital media.
• She pursued journalisms in college and later became a renowned reporter.

12. jiggledygook

Jiggledygook refers to language that is nonsensical, overly complicated, or difficult to understand, often used in bureaucratic or technical contexts.

Examples

• The instructions were full of jiggledygook, making it nearly impossible to understand.
• The politician’s speech was filled with jiggledygook, leaving the audience confused.

13. jovialities

Jovialities refer to expressions or displays of cheerfulness, good humor, or festive enjoyment.

Examples

• The jovialities at the dinner party made everyone feel welcome and relaxed.
• His jovialities were infectious, and soon everyone was laughing along with him.

14. jargonizing

Jargonizing refers to the use of specialized or technical language, often in an excessive or confusing manner, making communication difficult for others.

Examples

• He had a habit of jargonizing his presentations, making it hard for the audience to follow.
• The meeting was full of jargonizing, which frustrated the non-technical participants.

15. jumpshooting

Jumpshooting refers to the act of shooting a basketball while jumping into the air, a common technique in basketball for creating distance from defenders.

Examples

• His jumpshooting technique on the court was impressive, earning him several accolades.
• Jumpshooting is one of the most essential skills for a basketball player to master.

16. justifiable

Justifiable means capable of being defended or proven to be reasonable or acceptable, typically in a legal or moral context.

Examples

• Her actions were completely justifiable given the circumstances.
• In the court case, the defendant argued that his actions were justifiable under the law.

17. jettisoning

Jettisoning refers to the act of discarding or throwing something away, usually to reduce weight or make something more manageable.

Examples

• The crew was forced to start jettisoning supplies to lighten the load after the engine failure.
• The company is considering jettisoning its underperforming product lines.

18. judicatorily

Judicatorily refers to actions or decisions made in the role of a judge, particularly in a legal context.

Examples

• The judge approached the case judicatorily, weighing all evidence carefully.
• Judicatorily, the court ruled in favor of the defendant, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.

19. jellyfishes

Jellyfishes are marine animals known for their gelatinous, translucent bodies and long, trailing tentacles. Some species can deliver painful stings.

Examples

• While swimming in the ocean, they encountered several jellyfishes near the shore.
• Jellyfishes are known for their delicate, translucent bodies and tentacles.

20. jackhammered

Jackhammered refers to the use of a mechanical tool known as a jackhammer, used for breaking up hard materials like concrete or pavement.

Examples

• The workers jackhammered the concrete to prepare for the new road construction.
• The sound of the jackhammered pavement echoed through the neighborhood.

21. javelinthrow

Javelinthrow refers to the athletic event where an athlete throws a javelin, a long spear-like object, as far as possible.

Examples

• She set a new personal best in the javelinthrow during the track and field meet.
• The javelinthrow was one of the most anticipated events of the sports festival.

22. justiciable

Justiciable refers to issues or matters that are appropriate for judicial resolution or intervention, particularly in legal contexts.

Examples

• The case was considered justiciable, meaning it was appropriate for judicial review.
• He argued that the dispute was justiciable because it involved a clear violation of legal rights.

23. jobholderes

Jobholderes refers to individuals who hold jobs or positions in an organization.

Examples

• Jobholderes in the firm were given an opportunity to attend specialized training.
• The jobholderes were recognized for their hard work in the annual company meeting.

24. juniorities

Juniorities refer to the status of being a junior in a hierarchical system, often in a workplace or organization.

Examples

• Juniorities within the organization determine which employees are eligible for promotions.
• The senior manager was upset with the juniorities’ failure to meet deadlines.

25. jerrymandering

Jerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

Examples

• The politician was accused of jerrymandering voting districts to favor his party.
• Jerrymandering is a common tactic used to manipulate electoral outcomes by altering district boundaries.

Historical Context

The letter “J” is one of the more intriguing characters in the alphabet, largely because of its relatively recent introduction into the English language. Historically, it did not exist in its modern form until after the Middle Ages, and its development is intertwined with both linguistic evolution and cultural shifts.

The letter “J” originates from the letter “I,” and its use can be traced back to the 16th century when it began to distinguish itself from the letter “I” in both pronunciation and spelling. Before this period, the letter "I" was used for both the vowel sound (as in "ice") and the consonant sound (as in "jungle"). The first recorded use of the letter "J" as a distinct sound came from the work of Italian scholar Gian Giorgio Trissino in the 1520s. He employed the letter “J” to represent the consonantal sound that was already beginning to be distinguished in the Romance languages.

As languages evolved, the letter "J" was eventually adopted into the English alphabet. The sound it represents—generally a voiced palatal fricative or affricate, as in “jug” or “judge”—was relatively rare in earlier English but became more common during the Renaissance. This was the period when the English language was undergoing significant transformations, including the adoption of many loanwords from Latin, Greek, and French, which contributed to the expansion of vocabulary.

In the context of 11-letter words that start with “J,” historical context becomes relevant because many such words have roots in other languages. Terms like “jurisdiction” and “judiciary” are directly related to the historical development of governance and law, particularly in the context of medieval Europe and the evolving concepts of justice and administration. The presence of these words points to the cultural importance of law and authority, central to societal structure during the Renaissance and beyond.

Word Origins And Etymology

The etymology of 11-letter words starting with “J” often reveals rich histories of cultural exchange, particularly through the influence of Latin, French, and even Arabic on English. These roots often speak to the changing nature of the English language as it incorporated words from diverse linguistic traditions.

Take, for example, “justifiable,” which means something that can be defended or justified. This word derives from the Latin word justificare, meaning “to make just.” The suffix “-able” is added, creating an adjective that implies a capacity for justification. Similarly, “judiciaries,” which refers to the system or branch of government concerned with justice, traces its roots back to the Latin judicium, meaning “judgment,” with the suffix "-ary" meaning “pertaining to.” Here, the law, a fundamental societal concept, is reflected in the word’s origin, underscoring the historical importance of justice in society.

Words like “jurisprudence” (the theory or philosophy of law) and “journalizing” (keeping a written record of events) also carry deep etymological roots. Jurisprudence combines the Latin juris (meaning "law") with prudentia (meaning "wisdom" or "knowledge"), while “journalizing” is derived from the Latin diurnalis, meaning “daily,” reflecting the tradition of keeping daily records or journals.

The influence of French is also significant in many of these words. For instance, “jubilations” (exuberant celebrations or rejoicing) comes from the Old French jubilacion, which itself originates from the Latin jubilatio, meaning “shouting for joy” or “rejoicing.”

Exploring the etymology of 11-letter words that start with “J” opens a window to understanding how interconnected languages have shaped the English lexicon, especially as it relates to governance, law, and intellectual pursuits, all of which have helped define the modern world.

Common Misconceptions

Despite their intriguing etymologies and historical significance, 11-letter words beginning with "J" often become subject to certain misconceptions. One common misconception is that “J” is a particularly uncommon letter in English. In fact, while it’s not as frequently used as other letters like “E” or “T,” the letter “J” is far from rare. Words like “judiciary,” “jurisprudence,” “justifiable,” and “jovialities” are long and complex but show how prevalent “J” is in the vocabulary of law, justice, and celebration.

Another misconception is that the pronunciation of words beginning with “J” is relatively straightforward. While it may seem intuitive, the letter “J” represents different sounds in different languages, creating confusion for non-native English speakers or even those unfamiliar with specific contexts. For instance, in English, “J” generally produces a sound like the one in “judge,” but in other languages, such as Spanish, “J” produces a more guttural sound, as in “jalapeño.” This variance can confuse learners and even lead to mispronunciations when attempting to pronounce loanwords.

Some people might also assume that words beginning with “J” are more modern creations, often associated with contemporary ideas. However, as we’ve seen in the historical and etymological discussions, many 11-letter words starting with “J” have deep roots in classical and medieval traditions, especially those relating to law, governance, and intellectual thought. Words like “jurisprudence” and “justifiable” have been part of the English language for centuries and reflect a long history of legal and philosophical thinking.

Additionally, there’s sometimes the misconception that “J” words are primarily technical or formal. While many are indeed associated with law and academia, words like “jovialities” (happiness or cheerfulness) and “jiggledy-jag” (a type of movement) show how “J” can also be found in more casual or even playful contexts.

Conclusion

The study of 11-letter words starting with “J” is an exploration of both language evolution and cultural history. These words, many rooted in Latin or French, often relate to themes of law, justice, and intellectual thought, reflecting pivotal aspects of societal development over time. The letter “J,” though historically a latecomer to the alphabet, carries with it centuries of meaning, contributing to a vast array of words that shape our modern understanding of governance, philosophy, and daily life.

Whether uncovering the historical context of a word, tracing its etymological roots, or addressing common misconceptions, it becomes clear that the “J” words are not merely a quirky feature of language, but a testament to the ongoing influence of ancient and medieval thought on our contemporary lexicon. As we continue to use these words, we not only honor the history embedded within them but also acknowledge the dynamic process by which language evolves to meet the needs of each new generation.