Want to know all about the words Shakespeare invented? We’ve got you covered.
In all of his works – the plays, the sonnets and the narrative poems – Shakespeare uses 17,677 different words.
How Many Words Did Shakespeare Invent?
Across all of his written works, it’s estimated that words invented by Shakespeare number as many as 1,700. We say these are words invented by Shakespeare , though in reality many of these 1,700 words would likely have been in common use during the Elizabethan and Jacobean era, just not written down prior to Shakespeare using them in his plays, sonnets and poems. In these cases Shakespeare would have been the first known person to document these words in writing.
Historian Jonathan Hope also points out that Victorian scholars who read texts for the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary read Shakespeare’s texts more thoroughly than most, and cited him more often, meaning Shakespeare is often credited with the first use of words which can be found in other writers.
Examples Of Commonly Used Words Shakespeare Created
It is Shakespeare who is credited with creating the below list of words that we still use in our daily speech – some of them frequently.
accommodation
aerial
amazement
apostrophe
assassination
auspicious
baseless
bloody
bump
castigate
changeful
clangor
control (noun)
countless
courtship
critic
critical
dexterously
dishearten
dislocate
dwindle
eventful
exposure
fitful
frugal
generous
gloomy
gnarled
hurry
impartial
inauspicious
indistinguishable
invulnerable
lapse
laughable
lonely
majestic
misplaced
monumental
multitudinous
obscene
palmy
perusal
pious
premeditated
radiance
reliance
road
sanctimonious
seamy
sportive
submerge
suspicious
Along with these everyday words invented by Shakespeare, he also created a number of words in his plays that never quite caught on in the same way… Shakespearean words like ‘Armgaunt’, ‘Eftes’, ‘Impeticos’, ‘Insisture’, ‘Pajock’, ‘Pioned’ ‘Ribaudred’ and ‘Wappened’. We do have some ideas as to what these words may mean, though much is guesswork. Watch the video below for more insight into words Shakespeare invented that have been lost in the mists of time:
And it wasn’t just words that Shakespeare created, documented, or brought into common usage – he also put words together and created a host of new phrases. Read all about the phrases that Shakespeare invented here. And see our complete Shakespeare dictionary, which lists hundreds of commonly used Shakespeare’s words that arent; so common today, along with a simple definition.
Shakespeare words – see handwritten phrases and words Shakespeare invented
Seen enough words Shakespeare invented? Why not see them in action by reading our pick of the very best Shakespeare quotes (including the classic to be or not to be), or reading quotes by play, including Macbeth quotes, Romeo & Juliet quotes, Julius Caesar quotes and Hamlet quotes. Or perhaps you’re more of a romantic soul, and would like to read Shakespeare’s very best love quotes.
What do you think of these Shakespeare words – any words Shakespeare invented you think we should add? Let us know in the comments section below!
Very nice!
Words used by Shakespeare to mock others
Have you seen our piece on Shakespeare’s insults? https://nosweatshakespeare.mystagingwebsite.com/resources/shakespeare-insults/
How CRITICAL it is that Shakespeare GENEROUSly made all of these MAJESTIC words
“What do you think of these Shakespeare words – any words Shakespeare invented you thik we should add? Let us know in the comments section below!” I THINK you missed a letter in this sentence.
I think we should thank you for pointing out this typo… now fixed :)
What about the ‘un’ words?
that was very helpful
Some Shakespeare Words meant to us. Because some are getting too much emotional and some are even today don’t understand. But your way of explaining really great Useful for us
Is there a list of names he coined? I know there are a few.
If you do a Search of Richard Lederer, verbivore, you’ll enjoy his humor and knowledge on the use of words, including Living Will: the legacy of William Shakespeare.