English Vocabulary for learners
Foreign words used in English, with origin and meaning.
from: 'addendum'
to: 'vice versa'
A certain number of foreign words, or words originating in other languages, have been adopted into the English language over the centuries. Many of them come from French and Italian which both derive from Latin, others from Greek, German, Spanish, Japanese and so on.
Here are some examples:
| Word/Phrase | Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| addendum | Latin | An item added, for example at the end of a book or publication. |
| ad hoc | Latin | For that specific purpose. |
| ad lib (ad libitum) |
Latin | Freely; without restriction; without preparation. |
| ad nauseam | Latin | To a sickening or excessive degree. |
| agenda | Latin | List of things to be done. |
| a la carte | French | Dishes that can be ordered separately, not the set menu. |
| alfresco | Italian | Outdoors, in the open air. |
| al dente | Italian | Firm (ex: spaghetti) when you bite into it. |
| alibi | Latin | Proof that someone suspected of a crime was in another place at the time it happened. |
| alter ego | Latin | Another self; another aspect of oneself. |
| angst | German | Feelings of anger, anguish or apprehension. |
| antenna | Latin | 1)A metalic device for radiating or receiving radio waves, e.g. a TV antenna. 2) Feeler or horn of an insect. |
| a posteriori | Latin | Based on experience; derived from evidence |
| a priori | Latin | Based on an assumption rather than on observed facts |
| au fait | French | Well informed; up to date |
| au pair | French | Young foreign girl who helps in a home with the housework and the children |
| ballet | French and Italian | A classical style of expressive dancing . |
| ballerina | Italian | A woman who is a ballet dancer. |
| bete noire | French | A person or thing disliked or dreaded, or something that annoys you intensely. |
| bona fide | Latin | Done in good faith, without intention to deceive. |
| café | French | 'Café' means 'coffee' in French and or a coffee shop. |
| carpe diem | Latin | Seize the day (enjoy yourself while you can). |
| carte blanche | French | Have full powers; complete freedom to act. |
| casino | Italian | A building where gambling games are played. |
| chef d'oeuvre | French | A masterpiece, especially when referring to art. |
| chignon | French | Woman's hairstyle: hair arranged at the back of the head, especially at the nape of the neck. |
| circa | Latin | Around, about or approximately (used before a year). |
| confetti | Italian | Little pieces of coloured paper thrown during a celebration such as a wedding. |
| coup d'etat | French | A sudden overthrow of a government by the army. |
| creche | French | Child-care centre or nursery. |
| croissant | French | A flaky crescent-shaped roll or pastry. |
| cul de sac | French | A dead-end street that doesn't connect with others. |
| cum laude | Latin | With honours (above-average achievement). |
| de facto | Latin | From the fact (exists in actual fact, although not official). |
| delicatessen | German | A shop where you can find ready-to-eat products such as cooked meats and salads etc. |
| entrepreneur | French | A person who starts their own company. |
| ergo | Latin | Therefore; for that reason. |
| et al | Latin | And the others. Example: Thompson et al. |
| et cetera | Latin | And other similar things; and so forth. |
| exempli gratia (e.g.) | Latin | For example. (given as an example) |
| extravaganza | Italian | A lavish or spectacular show, event or performance. |
| faux-pas | French | A social mistake or blunder. |
| femme fatale | French | An attractive and seductive woman. |
| fiasco | Italian | A complete failure. |
| genre | French | Category, type or style e.g. music or literature. |
| glitch | German | Small problem or fault that prevents something from being successful. |
| grafitti | Italian | A writing or drawing on to a public surface such as a wall. |
| grotesque | French and Italian | Odd, exaggerated or unnatural in appearance, shape or character. |
| guerilla | Spanish | An irregular, independent armed force. |
| id est (i.e.) | Latin | That is; in other words. |
| in situ | Latin | On site (where something takes place). |
| ipso facto | Latin | By that very fact; as a direct consequence. |
| karaoke | Japanese | Sing along with the tune of a popular song while reading the lyrics from a screen. |
| karate | Japanese | A martial art that originated in Japan. |
| kindergarten | German | Nursery school for children before they start elementary school. |
| lingerie | French | Women's underwear or sleepwear. |
| macho | Spanish | Arrogantly virile or have an exaggerated sense of power or the right to dominate. |
| mea culpa | Latin | It's my fault; through my fault. |
| modus operandi | Latin | The usual way of doing things (for example: the modus operandi of burglars). |
| nom de plume | French | A fake name used by authors. |
| nouveau riche | French | People who have recently become wealthy; newly rich. |
| origami | Japanese | The art of folding small pieces of paper in order to form them into interesting shapes. |
| paparazzi | Italian | Freelance photographers who pursue celebrities. |
| partisan | French and Italian | Strong supporter of a party, cause or faction. |
| parvenu | French | Wealthy or important person from obscure origins or a low social position. |
| patio | Spanish | A paved or concrete leisure area adjoining a house. |
| pergola | Italian | An arch or structure in a garden for climbing plants. |
| persona non grata | Latin | An unacceptable person who is unwelcome or not wanted. |
| plaza | Spanish | A public open area in a town or city, also called a "square". |
| post mortem | Latin | Examination of a dead body (to determine the cause of death). |
| pro bono | Latin | Free of charge; without asking for payment. |
| pro forma | Latin | Standard document (for example, a pro forma invoice). |
| pro rata | Latin | In proportion to the amount or size of something. |
| propaganda | Latin | Misleading or biased information used to promote a cause. |
| quiche | French | A baked flan or tart filled with a mixture of cheese, eggs, vegetables, ham, etc. |
| regatta | Italian | A sports event consisting of races between boats, yachts, or other vessels |
| renaissance | French | Word meaning “rebirth” used to describe the historical period between 1300 and 1600. |
| rendez-vous | French | An arrangement to meet someone. |
| siesta | Spanish | A nap or a rest during the day, usually in the early afternoon. |
| sine die | Latin | Indefinitely; without fixing a date for future action. |
| sine qua non | Latin | Essential condition without which something is impossible. |
| solo | Italian | Done or performed by one person alone. |
| status quo | Latin | The present or current situation; the existing state of affairs. |
| stiletto | Italian | A woman’s shoe with a thin high heel. |
| subpoena | Latin | Legal document ordering someone tyo appear in court. |
| terracotta | Italian | Hard, baked clay that is brownish-red in colour. |
| tsunami | Japanese | A gigantic sea wave that is usually caused by an earthquake. |
| verbatim | Latin | Word for word. |
| vice versa | Latin | Valid also in the opposite order, or the other way round. |
You can find out the origin of words here