Hailed as the greatest playwright in English history, William Shakespeare no doubt left an incredible mark on global literature with his captivating words and narratives.
But did you know that the16th century writer invented numerous words that many of us still use today, whether it’s in our day-to-day dialogue or our own written stories?
Beyond the epic storytelling and tales that stood the test of time, Shakespeare invented as many as 1700 words that were frequently used in the Elizabethan era.
Let’s delve into the enchanting world of words and phrases Shakespeare came up with and the story behind them…
25 Common Words Invented by Shakespeare (with Some Origins)
1. Addiction – Exemplified in Othello, addiction is used to describe the state of being dedicated or devoted to a thing, unlike the modern usage of the word relating to bad habits like smoking.
2. Assassination – Found in Macbeth, the word assassination holds its same meaning by being a timed empoisonment or utter destruction of something.
3. Bedroom
4. Champion
5. Cold-blooded – When first used, this word was used metaphorically whereas now it’s used as a reference to serial killers and vampires.
6. Critic
7. Dwindle
8. Elbow
9. Fashionable – Cited in Troilus and Cressida, this 11 letter word has certainly stood the test of time in various industries today.
10. Generous
11. Gloomy
12. Hint
13. Inaudible – Shakespeare added the negation of ‘in’ before a word where it had never been before.
14. Lackluster
15. Lonely
16. Moonbeam
17. Multitudinous – There’s two meanings that Shakespeare derives from this word; one is to describe a body of water, and the other is related to the common people.
18. Obscene
19. Puking
20. Perusal
21. Pious
22. Radiance
23. Reliance
24. Submerge
25. Swagger – Not Justin Beieber’s swag, but more along the lines of ‘strutting with a defiant air’ (although there are some similarities!)
25 Common Phrases Invented by Shakespeare
Here’s a list of common phrases that also came from William Shakespeare himself:
1. All’s well that ends well
2. Break the ice
3. Eaten out of house and home
4. Fair play
5. Good riddance
6. Heart of gold
7. In a pickle
8. Laughing stock
9. Love is blind
10. Wild-goose chase
11. Vanish into thin air
12. Naked truth
13. A piece of work
14. Fight fire with fire
15. What’s done is done
16. Wear your heart on your sleeve
17. Seen better days
18. Set your teeth on edge
19. Too much of a good thing
20. The world is my oyster
21. A sorry sight
22. Green eyed monster
23. Heart of hearts
24. Dead as a doornail
25. Bated breath
It’s good to note that while some of these words and phrases may have existed beforehand, Shakespeare helped popularize them and allow them to stand the test of time through his use within his storytelling.
Many of these words and phrases have permeated popular culture and are still widely used today to enhance the power of language.
Shakespeare Allowing for Flexibility in the English Language
The beauty of these words and phrases still being utilized in today’s age is that it reflects the flexibility of the English language and the relevance of the 16th-century born phrases in modern day.
A lot of these phrases and words capture the essence of human emotions and experience which still help us to communicate and express ourselves today.
While many of the phrases may be heavily used in England, a lot of them have certainly traveled across the seas and made their way into cultures and customs globally.
What are some of your favorite phrases and words that you owe to Shakespeare? Let us know in the comments below!
