A Closer Look at Everyday Words Shakespeare Invented

August 1, 2024
words shakespeare invented

The influence of Shakespeare on the English Language

If there’s one thing that William Shakespeare did instinctively, it was to invent memorable words and phrases. (‘Instinctively’ was one of them – it’s in his play The Tempest!)

In modern English, it’s almost impossible to have a conversation without using words and phrases Shakespeare invented. It’s thought that he created or introduced us to 1,700 words – from alligator right through to zany. As for Shakespeare phrases, he gave us a huge number of everyday idioms such as one fell swoop, elbow room and to eat out of house and home.

No single person has had such a great impact on the English language as Shakespeare. Read on to learn more about his words and phrases that we still use daily.

Words Shakespeare invented

Shakespeare used over 20,000 words in his plays and poems. While it’s impossible to say exactly how many of these words Shakespeare invented, he was the first person known to use more than 1,700 of them.

He created some of these words by adding prefixes (at the front of a word) or suffixes (at the end). A good example is in Romeo and Juliet, where he adds the prefix ‘un’ to ‘comfortable’ to make the word ‘uncomfortable’. Sometimes he’d borrow words from other languages, such as making ‘bandit’ from the Italian ‘banditto’. He would also put words together to make new ones, such as lack-luster (now lacklustre), dog-hearted, and out-jest.

There are lots of theories about why Shakespeare invented so many words. He may have adapted some so they had the right number of syllables for his purpose. He probably created others to have a certain meaning. Whatever the reasons, one thing is clear – Shakespeare loved to play with language. Below are some of his words you’ll hear in modern English.

Addiction

The word ‘addiction’ first appears in Henry V, when the Bishop of Canterbury says that the King’s knowledge of religion was preferable to his previous interests.

“Since his addiction was to courses vain”
(Act I, Scene I)

Shakespeare uses the word to mean ‘inclination’ or ‘tendency’. In other words, the Bishop says the King liked to get interested in worthless things. Today the word addiction has taken on a stronger meaning. It is now used to describe being dependent on a drug, habit or activity.

Blushing

‘Blushing’ made its first known appearance in 1597. Shakespeare used it 28 times across his plays and poems, including Romeo and Juliet.
“My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.”
(Act I, Scene V)

Today, blushing means to become red or pink in the face, usually from shame or embarrassment. When Romeo uses the word, he’s saying that his lips are rosy-coloured.

Cold-blooded

Shakespeare only used ‘cold-blooded’ once in his writing. It appears in his play, King John, when a character called Constance says:
“Thou cold-blooded slave, Hast thou not spoke like thunder on my side?”
(Act III, Scene I)

In the past, people believed that your blood temperature would rise when you were excited. So, when Constance says ‘cold-blooded slave’, she means someone who doesn’t show any emotion. Today ‘cold-blooded’ can also mean being deliberately cruel or without pity.

Fashionable

The word ‘fashionable’ appears twice in Shakespeare’s plays: once in Timon of Athens and once in Troilus and Cressida. In the second play, Ulysses says:

“For Time is like a fashionable host
That slightly shakes his parting guest by th’ hand
And, with his arms outstretched as he would fly,
Grasps in the comer.”
(Act III, Scene III)

Here, Shakespeare uses ‘fashionable’ to mean ‘popular’. He compares time to a popular host who quickly says goodbye to one guest before welcoming in another.

Today, fashionable has several meanings. It can refer to someone dressing or behaving in the current fashion, or it can also mean something (like music or a restaurant) that’s popular with fashionable people. An older meaning of fashionable is something that can be shaped, such as clay.

Outbreak

Shakespeare uses the word ‘outbreak’ in his play Hamlet. Polonius is talking about his son Laertes when he says:

“But breathe his faults so quaintly
That they may seem the taints of liberty,
The flash and outbreak of a fiery mind
A savageness in unreclaimed blood,
Of general assault.”
(Act II, Scene I)

The ‘flash and outbreak’ are the products of Laertes’ mind. The word ‘outbreak’ suggests the thoughts erupt from his mind. Today the word is used to describe a sudden occurrence, such as an outburst of emotion, energy or disease.

Swagger

It’s clear Shakespeare loved the words swagger, swaggerer and swaggering. Take a look at how many times they are used in this speech by innkeeper Mistress Quickly in Henry IV, Part 2:

“If he swagger, let him not come here. No, by
my faith, I must live among my neighbours. I’ll no
swaggerers. I am in good name and fame with the
very best. Shut the door. There comes no swaggerers
here. I have not lived all this while to have
swaggering now. Shut the door, I pray you.”
(Act II, Scene IV)

Swagger comes from the word ‘swag’, meaning to sway. For Shakespeare, to swagger was to walk in a swaying, insolent way, or to boast. A ‘swaggerer’ was a boastful, aggressive man.

Today, the word swagger has the same meanings, but in the 19th century it also came to mean ‘fashionable’ (as in a ‘swagger’ restaurant).

More everyday words Shakespeare invented

There are so many other wonderful words Shakespeare invented or was the first known person to use. Here are some more to inspire you.

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If you enjoyed this blog, read our related article to find out even more about Shakespeare’s influence on the English language: Idioms and Phrases Shakespeare Invented.