Shakespeare is credited with inventing many new words and phrases in the English language. According to some estimates, Shakespeare introduced more than 1,700 words to the English language, many of which are still in use today.
Some of these words include “bedazzled,” “lackluster,” “fashionable,” “unearthly,” “monumental,” and “hobnob,” to name just a few.
Shakespeare was also known for using existing words in new and innovative ways, which contributed to the development of English vocabulary and grammar.
His works have had a profound influence on the English language and culture, and continue to be studied and performed around the world today.
100 Words Shakespeare Invented
Shakespeare is thought to have invented more than 1,700 words. We won’t give you the whole list here, but here are 100 words that Shakespeare is credited with inventing:
- Addiction
- Alligator
- Amazement
- Assassination
- Auspicious
- Baseless
- Bedroom
- Belongings
- Champion
- Compromise
- Courtship
- Critic
- Dwindle
- Elbow
- Eventful
- Fashionable
- Frugal
- Generous
- Gloomy
- Gossip
- Hint
- Hurry
- Impartial
- Invulnerable
- Lackluster
- Laughable
- Lonely
- Majestic
- Manager
- Multitudinous
- Negotiate
- Obscene
- Outbreak
- Pageantry
- Pious
- Radiance
- Relentless
- Savagery
- Swagger
- Torture
- Transcendence
- Uncomfortable
- Undress
- Unearthly
- Unmitigated
- Watchdog
- Worthless
- Zany
- Advertising
- Bandit
- Besmirch
- Bump
- Caked
- Catlike
- Championed
- Clangor
- Clodpole
- Cold-blooded
- Cowardice
- Dawn
- Dishearten
- Dislocate
- Distrustful
- Drugged
- Embraceable
- Employment
- Enfranchise
- Engrossing
- Eventful
- Excitement
- Eyeball
- Fashion-monger
- Fitful
- Flawed
- Flowery
- Foregone
- Frolicsome
- Fustian
- Gnarled
- Grammatical
- Green-eyed
- Grief-stricken
- Gust
- Hint
- Hornbook
- Impediment
- Invulnerable
- Lackluster
- Lament
- Laughable
- Lechery
- Lustrous
- Madcap
- Majestic
- Manager
- Misgiving
- Multitudinous
- Obscene
- Outbreak
- Pander
Invent More Words Than Shakespeare with the Word Remixer
Ready to be your own Shakespeare and invent some new words? Try our free word remixer tool. Start with two words you like, and get endless possible combinations, including portmanteaus and entirely new words.