In all of his works – the plays, the sonnets and the narrative poems – Shakespeare uses 17,677 different words. Amongst these words, 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
Unusual (and Unused) Words Shakespeare Invented
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. We do have some ideas as to what these words may mean, though much is guesswork. Take a guess at how you might use words like:
Armgaunt
Eftes
Impeticos
Insisture
Pajock
Pioned
Ribaudred
Wappened
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.
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!
these words are very stupid and were very unneeded
hope you’re a troll, homeslice. I’d say “hurry” is a pretty necessary word, along with pretty much every other word on that list.
I find it “suspicious” how “sanctimonious” your “laughable” and “misplaced” comment is. What a “monumental” moron you are.
you could have easily said “I find it strange how cocky your absurd and out-of-place comment is. What a total moron you are.” and it actually sounds much more natural
you poor soul, you have no idea how many times you use words Shakespeare invented do you? you seem suspiciously critical of this writer’s work. your sad irritation is misplaced and baseless! (yes I did use words from the list. do you see how many are used so easily? where would we be without his works hmm?)
I love Shakespeare so much. He is my life. Whenever I’m tired of being an English teacher/Facebook mom, I read his works, scroll through Shakespeare Wattpads and look at the Facebook page about him. If you’re out there William, I just wanted to say I’ll gladly leave my husband for you.
Educate yourself woman! That old sod had been dead for centuries, I don’t imagine you (whoever you are) to be marrying a pile of bones and dirt! But then again, you could just be weird…
sigh… Some people don’t get a joke.
Humor has been lost in this world. Thank your local leftist. Perturbed, triggered, and out out at every joke or slight.
hi, local leftist here. humor is perfectly fine. no reasonable leftist will complain at a good-hearted and well-made joke. blatant bigotry isn’t “dark humor” as many conservatives think. jester’s privilege only applies if you’re funny.
Sirrah! Did you think this good lady actually wants to marry Shakespeare. Also, it’s “has,” not had.
dearest Jeffery
you are very mind boggling and i don’t care that someone spelt something wrong, where do you get off?
kind regards
me
‘Twas comedic within mine humble opinion, verily I sayeth!
Surely he jests, this poppet, latter he is a swiver within nightsoil. Enow, I pondereth? Well met and pleasant journey smithy.
Sire Joffery, I have a haiku for you, if you are so kind as to lend me your time.
Please learn your place, sir.
You are quite the dunce, Jeffery.
I implore; suck my balls.
Thanks for reading :3
I wish you were my english teacher. Join our school instead!! You’re hilarious
Beautifully put.
This is not a good, or correct haiku. It does not scan properly, and it lacks the themes that are proper to a haiku. What you have written is polemic, and not a very good one.
The same could be communicated for Rabindranath Tagore
Well lucky for you, I am here. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Tell me where to meet and I’ll gladly ride my horse and carriage to your lovely estate to pick you up! It is my honor to meet someone who appreciates my art and rejects the art from a modern facebook mom.
Verily Master Will, you are welcome indeed to this realm. I fear, however, that exposure to this 21st century might dishearten your spirit. You are best to continue being laid to rest.
People lack an appreciation for the double entendre and puns mastered by Shakespeare. People have also forgotten how language is a weapon, sharpened by a keen wit or dulled by a coddled dolt. Witness the ad hominem political rhetoric spewing out of Washington. Does anyone remember facts, figures, or logic? Does anyone remember the tempered defense of Shylock or Othello? How did they reproach their accusers? When will we be going back to attacking facts instead of character? What does this have to do with Shakespeare? It never ends well with despots on the throne. We need leaders, not despots. Just read Shakespeare.
wow cool i wish he was still around
SHakespear looks like humpty dumpty ngl with his long ass egg head and receeded hairline. Must be 1500s evolution.
big agree!
Yea he got a lawng haid!!
dude Shakespeare was so awesome! I’m a theatre nerd and bookworm and am always blown away by how many things he’s created it’s insane.
Thanks for this article! I’ve referred back to it many times for both college classwork and just for personal fun XD
This is a cool Shakespeare website
i think everyone should get a life and calm down over a dead man who wrote plays a million years ago
I think ‘baited breath” you list should be “bated breath” as in abated.
Thy works dost pale to skibidi’s grace,
No excellence dost they embrace.
Where toilet skibidi doth shine,
Thine art cannot outshine.