Impromptu: Spontaneousįrom the Latin phrase in promptu, meaning in readiness, impromptu is a common English adjective or adverb that describes something spontaneous (e.g., she threw an impromptu birthday party for her best friend). It is most often used to add information that states something in different words or to give a more specific example: Most of the puppies (i.e., four of the six) found homes over the weekend. stands for the Latin phrase id est, which literally translates to that is. Sometimes mistaken for the similar abbreviation e.g., i.e. In English, extra is an adjective, adverb, or prefix that means additional, in addition, or to a greater extent. Extra: In addition toĪ common English adjective and prefix, extra is a Latin preposition that means outside or in addition. Used at the end of a list to indicate that further items could be included, et cetera (or etc.) literally translates to and the rest. Ergo: ThereforeĮrgo, an adverb meaning therefore, is one Latin phrase that has maintained its meaning exactly in English usage. Ego: IĪ popular term in psychology, ego in fact began as the Latin equivalent of the first person pronoun, I, which makes sense when considering its modern meaning, which refers to an individual’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem. In English, it is used to introduce a list of examples in place of the phrase such as. stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning for the sake of example. E.g.: For exampleĬommonly confused with the similar Latin term i.e., e.g. Nowadays, it is used to highlight something that is simply a fact or someone who holds a position, with or without the right to do so (e.g., she was the de facto leader of the book club). De Facto: In factĭe facto is a Latin phrase that, literally translated, means of fact. It is usually used to motivate others to make the most of the present and stop worrying about the future. Carpe diem: Seize the dayĪ common phrase with motivational speakers and go-getters, carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means seize the day, made popular by the Roman poet Horace. Most often, bonus refers to an extra sum of money or reward from one’s employer for good performance, which of course is always a good thing. Bonus: Goodīonus, from the Latin adjective bonus, which means good, refers to any number of good things in its current English usage. The meaning has changed somewhat in English usage to mean something that is real or genuine (e.g., she was a bona fide expert in the social structures of humpback whales). Bona fide: With good faithĪnother common Latin phrase, bona fide literally means with good faith. Nowadays, alibi commonly refers to evidence that someone did not commit a (usually) criminal act because he or she was elsewhere at the time the act was committed.
The word alibi is a Latin phrase that simply means elsewhere, which will make sense to all you crime drama addicts out there who are familiar with the term as used by police, investigators, and other law enforcement professionals. Usually, one does something on an ad hoc basis (e.g., she answered questions on an ad hoc basis). In Latin, ad hoc literally means to this, which has been adapted by English speakers as a saying that denotes that something is created or done for a particular purpose, as necessary. It may come as a surprise to learn that English speakers use common Latin phrases every day, most recognizably in the sciences.īelow are 24 of the most common Latin phrases we use in the English language. Latin, in particular, has been extremely influential not only on the romance languages, such as French, Spanish, and Italian, but also on today’s English. Many English speakers may not realize how often English words are actually taken, verbatim, from both ancient and modern languages.
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