Few writers have shaped the English tongue as profoundly as William Shakespeare. Beyond his rich stories and unforgettable characters, the Bard left a legacy of words: slang and colloquialisms; that slip into everyday conversation without notice.
Although over 400 years have passed since his plays first echoed in the Globe Theatre, several of his coined terms remain staples in modern speech.
This article explores fifteen such slang words, uncovering their hidden meanings and tracing how they evolved from Elizabethan drama to contemporary chat.
By revealing these secret histories, one gains fresh insight into Shakespeare’s linguistic creativity and the enduring power of his vocabulary.
Slangwise thought:“When language lives, it dances between eras: Shakespeare gave us the steps.”
Table of Contents
15 Slang Words Shakespeare Invented That Are Still Being Used Today
1. Bedazzled
First appearance: The Taming of the Shrew (c. 1594)
Shakespeare used “bedazzled” for someone overwhelmed by bright beauty or charm.
Today it describes being struck with sudden admiration that briefly stops your thoughts. The slang word carries a warm feeling of delight, like light catching your eyes and holding them in a pleasant moment.
In short: It means being impressed or enchanted by something bright or remarkable.
Example: I was completely bedazzled by her performance on stage.
2. Fashionable
First appearance: Troilus and Cressida (c. 1602)
“Fashionable” originally described anything that fit the trends of the time. It still means stylish, modern, and socially accepted.
The word often hints at confidence, status, and the desire to fit into what people admire in clothing, behavior, or personal taste today.
In short: It means being in style or matching current trends people admire.
Example: She always finds a way to look fashionable without trying too hard.
3. Addiction
First appearance: Othello (c. 1603)
Shakespeare used “addiction” to describe a strong habit or inclination, not only harmful dependence. The idea remains powerful today, expressing a pull that keeps returning.
Whether serious or harmless, addiction suggests something you turn to again and again, even when you try to resist it.
In short: It means a repeated urge or habit that becomes hard to stop.
Example: He jokes that his morning coffee addiction is stronger than his alarm clock.
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4. Lonely
First appearance: Coriolanus (c. 1607)
“Lonely” expressed emotional distance rather than simple physical separation.
It still describes that quiet ache of wanting connection, even when surrounded by people.
Loneliness is less about being alone and more about missing warmth, closeness, or comfort that makes someone feel understood and supported.
In short: It means feeling emotionally isolated or disconnected from others.
Example: She felt lonely at the party, even with music, laughter, and people everywhere.
5. Critic
First appearance: Love’s Labour’s Lost (c. 1598)
Shakespeare introduced “critic” to name someone who evaluates writing and ideas. Today it applies to food, movies, art, and even trends.
A critic observes carefully and explains what works and what fails, helping others understand quality through thoughtful judgment rather than harsh negativity alone.
In short: It means someone who reviews and judges creative or important work.
Example: The critic praised the film’s story but disliked its rushed ending.
6. Majestic
First appearance: The Tempest (c. 1610)
“Majestic” described grandeur and beauty fit for royalty. The word still carries a sense of awe, respect, and quiet admiration.
It’s used for landscapes, performances, architecture, and anything that lifts the spirit with its natural power or graceful form that demands calm appreciation.
In short: It means something grand, impressive, and worthy of admiration.
Example: The waterfall looked truly majestic at sunrise.
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7. Savage
First appearance: Othello (c. 1603)
Shakespeare used “savage” to show fierce, untamed behavior. Today it still holds that intensity, but slang sometimes flips it into praise for bold or brutally honest actions.
The word suggests force, rawness, or a move so sharp it leaves people stunned by its impact.
In short: It means wild, fierce, or boldly harsh in a way that stands out.
Example: His comeback was so savage that everyone fell silent.
8. Dwindle
First appearance: Henry VIII (c. 1613)
“Dwindle” describes gradual shrinking or fading. It’s used for supplies, strength, attention, or anything that slips away bit by bit.
The word captures slow decline, like a flame that burns lower each hour until only a faint glow remains, waiting to disappear completely.
In short: It means slowly reducing in size, amount, or strength.
Example: Their food supplies began to dwindle after the long delay.
9. Submerge
First appearance: The Tempest (c. 1610)
Shakespeare used “submerge” to describe sinking something beneath water. Today it also means being deeply overwhelmed by tasks, pressure, or emotion.
Whether literal or figurative, the word suggests complete covering, where something disappears under weight, water, work, or strong feeling.
In short: It means to cover fully, often by water, or to be overwhelmed.
Example: She felt completely submerged in paperwork all afternoon.
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10. Inaudible
First appearance: The Winter’s Tale (c. 1611)
“Inaudible” refers to any sound too quiet to hear clearly. Shakespeare used it to describe silence or weak speech.
Today it appears in everyday talk and technology when volume drops below what a person or device can detect. Meaning slips away when a sound becomes inaudible.
In short: It means something cannot be heard because it is too soft.
Example: His whisper was inaudible over the crowd’s noise.
11. Hobnob
First appearance: Twelfth Night (c. 1602)
“Hobnob” originally suggested friendly sharing. Today it means mixing socially, often with important or well connected people.
The word carries a casual, warm tone, hinting at conversations, handshakes, and small exchanges that make meetings enjoyable and sometimes useful for building connections.
In short: It means to socialize casually, often with notable people.
Example: He loves to hobnob with artists at weekend events.
12. Epileptic
First appearance: King John (c. 1595)
Shakespeare used “epileptic” early in English to describe someone affected by epilepsy. Today it remains a medical term used with care and respect.
It refers to a neurological condition involving seizures, but the word’s history shows how language helped name things doctors were still learning about.
In short: It means relating to epilepsy or someone experiencing seizures.
Example: The doctor explained how an epileptic episode can happen suddenly.
13. Moonbeam
First appearance: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (c. 1595)
“Moonbeam” paints a soft image of pale light falling gently in the night. Shakespeare used it to bring dreamy beauty to scenes.
Today it still gives a calm, poetic feel, suggesting quiet moments, clear skies, and the gentle glow that makes nighttime look peaceful.
In short: It means a soft ray of light shining from the moon.
Example: A moonbeam lit the path as we walked home.
14. Time honored
First appearance: Troilus and Cressida (c. 1602)
“Time honored” praises traditions that have lasted through generations. It suggests trust, respect, and steady value.
People use it for customs, recipes, beliefs, or practices that remain meaningful and reliable. The phrase connects the present to the past with a sense of cultural continuity.
In short: It means respected because it has lasted a very long time.
Example: They followed a time honored family recipe for the celebration.
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15. Green eyed
First appearance: Othello (c. 1603)
“Green eyed” came from Shakespeare’s vivid image of jealousy as a hungry creature. The phrase still represents envy or uneasy longing.
It describes the feeling that rises when someone wants what another person has, mixing desire, comparison, and a quiet sting of insecurity.
In short: It means feeling jealous or envious of someone.
Example: She grew green eyed after hearing about her friend’s promotion.
Why These Words Matter
Shakespeare’s inventiveness emerged from his deep grasp of linguistic roots: Latin, French, Germanic. He filled gaps in English with words that conveyed nuance and emotion.
By drafting new verbs, adjectives, and metaphors, he enriched the language and set a standard for creative wordsmithing.
Many of his coinages describe universal experiences, jealousy, decline, social climbing: that remain relevant.
How Words Evolve Over Time
Language shifts with culture. Some Shakespearean terms faded; others endured by adapting.
For example, addiction shifted from gentle habit to clinical dependence. Savage, once purely negative, now sometimes carries ironic praise in slang.
This flexibility shows how a word’s core meaning can survive centuries, even as usage contexts change.
Secret Meanings Unveiled
- Emotional Depth: Words like “lonely” and “submerge” carried emotional weight beyond their literal sense.
- Social Commentary: “Hobnob” hinted at class mingling; “fashionable” reflected social hierarchies.
- Psychological Insight: “Green-eyed” captured human envy so vividly it survives in clinical language.
- Cultural Adaptation: “Savage” and “addiction” demonstrate how context can flip a word’s connotation.
Key Takeaway
- Timeless Creations: Shakespeare coined words like “bedazzled” and “majestic” that still sparkle in modern speech.
- Secret Shades: Many terms carried layered meanings in Elizabethan drama: “lonely” wasn’t just “alone,” but carried a poetic weight.
- Everyday Impact: Words such as “fashionable” and “critic” shaped how generations describe style and judgment.
- Creative Fire: The Bard’s playful mixing of Latin, French, and Old English gave us vibrant slang that remains vivid today.
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Conclusion
Shakespeare’s slang creations demonstrate the power of one person to shape a living language. These fifteen words, once bold innovations, now feel like everyday speech.
Yet behind each lies a story of invention, adaptation, and survival. Recognizing their origins enriches appreciation for English’s history and the Bard’s unparalleled contribution.
The next time “bedazzled” describes a stunning view or someone warns of the “green-eyed monster,” remember these words danced onto the page over four centuries ago; and they still move the conversation today.
Reference: the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Oxford English Dictionary to delve deeper into Shakespeare’s linguistic legacy.