[WashingtonSource]

Plus, if you go by dictionaries which also contains words not in common usage, there are 470,000 words in English in the Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, together with its 1993 Addenda Section

While Italy has 270,000 in its largest dictionary. (Of course, Italian hand motions and other facial and bodily gestures in Italy contain millions of variations in meaning, I get your drift.)

All this at this link:
https://wordcounter.io/blog/how-many-words-are-in-the-english-language/

[NicknamedBob]

I tend to use the same words over and over again, particularly if I can make them rhyme.

Contrariwise, I don’t like to use the same word in prose usage to a noticeable extent. (Essentially I like to show off, and to expand my vocabulary.)

[NicknamedBob]

The Wordwright

“A natural at rhyming,” they said with quiet awe,
As if the effort of the work was just a lucky draw.
The poet grimly sets to task and nails the fabric down.
He stretches it to smooth it; portrays a bit of frown.

The subject matter fights him. He struggles on despite,
And witnesses remark there seems no effort in this wright.
While storms torment his vision, and tempests on him pour,
He delicately sets a bit of shell upon the shore.

The setting must be balanced. He knows it must be so,
But others only notice as the vistas slowly grow.
His struggle is exhausting, and soon to bed must he,
But not before he finishes his latest travesty.

So tempted to destroy it, his stare a rueful stance,
He shrugs and turns away from it without a backward glance.
“Another masterpiece,” they cry, and celebrate each rhyme,
And tearfully, he vows that he will do it right next time.

NicknamedBob . . . . . . . . . . . October 25, 2004