How many new words did Shakespeare invent?
William Shakespeare has been part of our lives since our high school days. Although interesting, his works were not always enjoyable for all of us at that age.
As a teenager, you almost had to translate what you were reading. But at the time he was writing, it was very different, and the English language has changed a lot since then.
But you must admit that he was very good at inventing great new words and turning nouns into new verbs and vice versa.
How many words did Shakespeare invent?
Some estimates say that about 1,700 invented English words in Shakespeare’s writing were not in English till (until) his time.
But according to some, this number is inaccurate.
However, the 16th and early 17th century was a time of significant change in the English language.
Many of these new words can be attributed to other writers of the time.
Shakespeare’s writing was brilliant because he is one of the most famous writers to have ever lived.
We can trace a lot of the words that Shakespeare invented.
We know this because many words never appeared before his writing.
Who knows how he came up with these words, but it is a great topic to investigate.
If you are looking for the exact number of words he invented, check the summary of this article for the precise answer.
Before that, here’s a quick list of some of his most famous words.
Addiction
We use this word so often now, and it has been around for so long that we use it without giving it a second thought.
In Othello, this word seems to be used with confidence.
… each man to what sport and revels his addiction leads him.
In a way, the meaning hasn’t changed a lot, but we probably use it more in a negative sense today.
Assassination
Shakespeare was not a man who kept his language simple. Indeed, a lot of the words he invented are dramatic and powerful.
He used assassination in Macbeth, and the word in itself is compelling.
We use this word without much thought today, but it is one of his best-invented words.
Belongings
In Shakespeare’s time, people did have belongings, but there must have been another word in use.
The word “belongings” in itself was another great sign of this genius.
I am not sure what we would call the things we have if this word were not on his list.
At some point, I would like to see if anyone else can come up with anything as brilliant as this.
His book, Measure for Measure, was one of the best pieces of literature ever written.
Cold-blooded
Cold-blooded is a word invented by Shakespeare, and it obviously creates a dramatic effect.
In The Life and Death of King John, Shakespeare refers to it in this passage.
Thou cold-blooded slave,
Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side?
Been sworn my soldier? bidding me depend
Upon thy stars, thy fortune, and thy strength?
Shakespeare’s definition of cold-blooded meant without emotion, excitement, or unimpassioned.
Today we tend to associate it more with an expression such as a cold-blooded killer.
Eventful
It is an interesting word, even for Shakespeare. But obviously, he loved expressing himself with new words or reforming existing words with a suffix or prefix.
In “As You Like It,” Shakespeare uses this word to refer to history, which might not be the way we would use it today.
We use this word to describe an occasion that was full of energy.
Shakespeare used it as a way to describe a time when life was not always as simple as it is today.
Fashionable
Yes, you read correctly. Shakespeare is the one we need to thank for this widely used word.
He probably didn’t have Milan fashion in mind when he used this word for the first time.
In fact, he was referring to the host of a part in Troilus and Cressida.
We use this word in our everyday lives and on social media.
In time, this word has been adapted from its original meaning.
We use this word to describe someone who dresses well, or what’s hot and what’s not.
Ladybird
No, Shakespeare didn’t invent a beetle called a ladybird.
But his use of the word makes us feel all fuzzy inside. In Romeo and Juliet, he endearingly used this word.
Now, by my maidenhead, at twelve year old,
I bade her come. What, lamb! what, ladybird!
God forbid! Where’s this girl? What, Juliet!
It was the way the nurse spoke about Juliet, which is a beautiful word to describe someone else.
We tend to associate the word with a red and black beetle today. But perhaps the emotive meaning will come back into fashion.
Manager
We are all grateful that Shakespeare decided to come up with this word because we all need to complain about someone in the office.
In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare uses this word effortlessly in a manner that we may not be comfortable with today.
Where is our usual manager of mirth?
It might not work in the office today.
Swagger
If you ever believed that Shakespeare was not the coolest guy around, you might want to reconsider.
Who could come up with a word like swagger and not be cool?
To be fair, he was not referring to any pop star who can wear a hoodie and low-riding jeans.
Shakespeare was way too classy for that, but nevertheless, he does deserve credit for this one.
Uncomfortable
This word might be just the right way to describe the way Shakespeare’s writing made me feel in high school.
In one of his most renowned pieces, Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare uses the word ‘uncomfortable’ in a way that communicates the meaning beautifully.
Uncomfortable time, why camest thou now to murder, murder our solemnity?
There is no rush in his writing, but the impact of what needs to be said is there.
Even in his theatrical tone, we can understand that the time at which he speaks was uncomfortable.
Other notable new words from Shakespeare
I can’t include every word in this list, but here are a handful of words worth noting that we use regularly today.
Birthplace, disgraceful, downstairs, eyeball, fairyland, foregone, grovel, laughable, love letter, moonbeam, puppy-dog, savagery, shooting star, unmitigated, weird, and zany.
Conclusion
It is easy to understand why Shakespeare’s work is still loved by so many people today.
We don’t always relate to all the language, words, and phrases, but we all love a little romance and theatre.
It doesn’t work for everyone, but even if you don’t like reading Shakespeare, you know who he is.
Without Shakespeare, we would probably never have added such a vast number of words to our English vocabulary.
So how many new words did William Shakespeare invent in total?
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) has a list of 433 words.
It’s such a pity William Shakespeare didn’t quite make it to invent 500 words.
Related Reading: 350 Other Words For Said For Your Dialogue Writing
I went to reblog it, but an’t find a reblog button to do so.
Reblog is a feature only found on wordpress.com. But you can find our content reuse policy in our FAQs.
Interesting. I knew he invented a number of words, but not that he invented such (now) commonly used ones.
I’m scheduling this for a reblog on 15th August. It deserves a wider audience.