Shakespeare’s words and phrases
William Shakespeare used more than 20,000 different words in his plays and poems, and his
works provide the first recorded use of over 1,700 words and phrases in the English
language. He invented some of these words himself, often by combining words, changing
nouns into verbs, adding prefixes or suffixes, and so on. Other words he picked up from
spoken English, being a keen observer of upper and lower class life around him.
Below are some common words that are widely attributed to Shakespeare.
definition
a large, carnivorous reptile closely related
to the crocodile
a room for sleeping; furnished with a bed
source (Play, Act, Scene)
Romeo and Juliet, A5 S1
Love's Labour's Lost, A3 S1
downstairs
someone who judges merit or expresses a
reasoned opinion
on a lower floor; down the steps
an eyeball
the round part of the eye; organ for vision
Henry VI Part 1, A4 S7
fashionable
stylish; characteristic of a particular period Troilus and Cressida, A3 S3
to gossip
to talk casually, usually about others
The Comedy of Errors, A5 S1
to hurry
to act or move quickly
The Comedy of Errors, A5 S1
inaudible
not heard; unable to be heard
All's Well That Ends Well, A5 S3
jaded
worn out; bored or past feeling
Henry VI Part 2, A4 S1
lonely
feeling sad due to lack of companionship
Coriolanus, A4 S1
a manager
Love's Labour's Lost, A1 S2
nervy
person who controls, administers, is in
charge
sinewy or strong; bold; easily agitated
obscene
repulsive, disgusting, morally offensive
Love's Labour's Lost, A1 S1
a puppy dog
a young, domestic dog
King John, A2 S1
questioning
the act of inquiring or interrogating
As You Like It, A5 S4
to rant
to speak at length in inflated, extravagant
language
milk with its cream removed
Hamlet, A5 S1
conventional; long-established, bound by
tradition
to remove clothes or other covering
Richard III, A3 S1
Titus Andronicus, A3 S1
worthless
incorporating different types or kinds;
diverse
having no value or merit; contemptible
yelping
uttering sharp, high-pitched cries
Henry VI Part 1, A4 S2
zany
a clown's assistant; a performer who
mimics another's antics
Love's Labour's Lost, A5 S2
word
an alligator
a bedroom
a critic
skim milk
traditional
to undress
varied
A Midsummer Night's Dream, A2 S2
Henry IV Part 1, A2 S4
Coriolanus, A2 S1
Henry IV Part 1, A2 S3
The Taming of the Shrew, Induction S2
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, A4 S2
Here are some popular phrases that have been first recorded in Shakespeare's plays.
phrase
paraphrase
We have seen better days. We are in poor condition, worn
out.
too much of a good thing Even good things can hurt in
excess.
neither rhyme nor reason without common sense or logic
I have not slept one wink. I did not sleep at all.
cruel to be kind
tough love, being harsh for
their benefit
The clothes make the
People are judged by the way
man.
they dress.
own flesh and blood
part of my family
He hath eaten me out of
He ate so much there was
house and home.
nothing left.
a dish fit for the Gods
a high-quality meal
It's Greek to me.
It's unintelligible. I cannot
understand.
the be-all and the end-all
of the utmost importance; the
ultimate aim
What's done is done.
I cannot change what has
happened in the past.
a foregone conclusion
an inevitable result
wear your heart upon
to expose your feelings, be
your sleeve
vulnerable
All that glitters isn't gold. Things are not as good as they
appear to be.
a blinking idiot
a fool
The world is my oyster.
I can achieve whatever I want
to in life.
short shrift
little and unsympathetic
attention
a tower of strength
a person you can rely on for
support
star-crossed lovers
lovers doomed by outside
forces
wild-goose chase
a hopeless search for
something unattainable
break the ice
to reduce the awkward, initial
social tension
brave new world
used ironically to refer to a
new, hopeful period
melted into thin air
to disappear suddenly, leaving
no traces
source (Play, Act, Scene)
As You Like It, A2 S7
As You Like It, A4 S1
The Comedy of Errors, A2 S2
Cymbeline, A3 S4
Hamlet, A3 S4
Hamlet, A1 S3
Hamlet, A1 S5
Henry IV Part 2, A2 S1
Julius Caesar, A2 S1
Julius Caesar, A1 S2
Macbeth, A1 S7
Macbeth, A3 S2
Othello, A3 S3
Othello, A1 S1
The Merchant of Venice, A2 S7
The Merchant of Venice, A2 S9
The Merry Wives of Windsor, A2 S2
Richard III, A3 S4
Richard III, A5 S3
Romeo and Juliet, Prologue
Romeo and Juliet, A2 S4
Taming of the Shrew, A1 S2
The Tempest, A5 S1
The Tempest, A4 S1
more on: www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-words/