How Many Words Did Shakespeare Invent?

William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest playwright in the English language, left a significant imprint on not only theater but also the English language. He is often credited with inventing or popularizing hundreds of words—many of which are still in use today. Scholars debate the exact number of words Shakespeare invented, with estimates ranging between 1,700 and 3,000, but what is undeniable is the enduring nature of his linguistic contributions.

In this article, we will explore some of Shakespeare's most famous word creations, where they appeared in his works, and how they continue to influence modern language and popular culture.

How Many Words Did Shakespeare Invent?

The claim that Shakespeare invented many words stems from the fact that the first recorded uses of these words appear in his writings. While it is possible that some of these words were in spoken use before Shakespeare, his works are often the first instances where they were written down.

Here are some of the most famous words Shakespeare is credited with inventing:

Assassination

First appearance: Macbeth, Act 1, Scene 7

Quote: "If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well / It were done quickly: if the assassination / Could trammel up the consequence."

Modern use: The word "assassination" refers to the act of murdering a prominent figure, often for political reasons. It remains a critical term in modern history and political discourse, used frequently to describe high-profile killings, such as the assassinations of Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy.

Swagger

First appearance: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 3, Scene 1

Quote: "What hempen homespuns have we swaggering here?"

Modern use: "Swagger" has evolved from Shakespeare's description of someone walking in a boastful manner to a broader cultural concept that conveys confidence or coolness. In modern slang, "swag" and "swagger" are often associated with stylishness and attitude. The word was even popularized in songs, such as Jay-Z's "Swagger Like Us."

Bump

First appearance: Romeo and Juliet, Act 1, Scene 3

Quote: "Nay, I had a bump as big as a young cockerel's stone."

Modern use: Today, "bump" is a common word, used in both its literal sense (a raised area on the skin or a surface) and metaphorically (as in "bump into someone" or "give a bump in the road"). It has also become slang in digital contexts, such as "bumping" a post to keep it at the top of an online forum.

Bedroom

First appearance: A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 2, Scene 2

Quote: "Go, one of you, find out the forester; / For now our observation is perform'd; / And since we have the vaward of the day, / My love shall hear the music of my hounds. / Uncouple in the western valley, let them go: / Dispatch, I say, and find the forester."

Modern use: "Bedroom" is now an everyday term, but it first appeared in Shakespeare’s work. It refers simply to a room used for sleeping. The term has become so ingrained in daily language that it’s hard to imagine a time without it.

Lonely

First appearance: Coriolanus, Act 4, Scene 1

Quote: "Believe't not lightly – though I go alone, / Like to a lonely dragon."

Modern use: "Lonely" is a term that has taken on significant emotional weight, used to describe feelings of isolation or solitude. In popular culture, it appears frequently in songs, films, and literature as a central human experience.

Manager

First appearance: Love’s Labour’s Lost, Act 5, Scene 2

Quote: "Where zeal strives to content, and the contents / Dies in the zeal of that which it presents: / Their form confounded makes most form in mirth, / When great things labouring perish in their birth."

Modern use: The word "manager" is essential in today’s business world, referring to someone responsible for overseeing a team or organization. Shakespeare used it in a more general sense, but the modern usage has firmly cemented itself in corporate and organizational language.

Eyeball

First appearance: The Tempest, Act 1, Scene 2

Quote: "Go make thyself like a nymph o' the sea: / Be subject to no sight but thine and mine, invisible / To every eyeball else."

Modern use: The word "eyeball" seems so basic now, but before Shakespeare, it didn’t exist in written form. Today, it is used in medical contexts, everyday conversation, and even digital media, with terms like "eyeball views" to describe online visibility.

Gloomy

First appearance: Titus Andronicus, Act 3, Scene 2

Quote: "And let all the tears that should have been sent down by ages of generations, fall in gloomy ruin upon your head."

Modern use: "Gloomy" is widely used to describe not just the weather or physical environment but also a person's mood. It appears in weather reports, psychological descriptions, and even in entertainment to set the tone for eerie or somber moments.

Addiction

First appearance: Othello, Act 2, Scene 2

Quote: "What would you? / What, I pray you, what, in your own part, can you say to that?"

Modern use: Addiction has taken on much broader psychological, medical, and social meanings today. It is used to describe compulsive behaviors ranging from substance abuse to shopping, gaming, and more.

Fashionable

First appearance: Troilus and Cressida, Act 3, Scene 3

Quote: "For time is like a fashionable host / That slightly shakes his parting guest by the hand.

Modern use: "Fashionable" has become a key term in the world of style and trends, often referring to the latest or most accepted styles in clothing, behavior, or even ideas. It remains a prominent concept in industries such as fashion, entertainment, and social media.

How Shakespeare’s Words Influenced Popular Culture

Shakespeare’s inventive vocabulary has embedded itself in popular culture in ways both subtle and obvious. Movies, books, and television shows often draw directly from Shakespeare’s works, quoting his invented words or using them as titles. For example, the word "assassination" is a frequent term in crime and political thrillers, while "swagger" has become a key concept in hip-hop culture.

Moreover, modern retellings and adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays ensure that these words remain in circulation. Whether through reimaginings like Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet or Shakespearean references in animated shows like The Simpsons, the Bard’s words live on.

Shakespeare’s linguistic creativity not only enriched the English language but also laid the groundwork for modern expression. From "eyeballs" to "swagger," his words have stood the test of time, proving that the Bard’s influence on language is as relevant today as it was in the Elizabethan era.

You Can Be Shakespearean Too

William Shakespeare’s invention of words has shaped the English language in profound ways. His creativity pushed linguistic boundaries, and many of his coined terms are still widely used today in various contexts. Whether in everyday conversation or popular culture, Shakespeare’s contributions to the world of words continue to resonate, demonstrating his enduring legacy as both a literary genius and a linguistic pioneer.