The English language has borrowed many words and phrases from Latin, Greek, French and German. The knowledge of such words and phrases will help you to be a better speaker and writer of English.
Academia (Latin) the academic world
Prof. Brown spent his whole adult life in the rarefied world of academia.
A cappella (Italian) without instrumental backing
The singer agreed to sing a cappella when the accompanist failed to turn up.
Accolade (French) praise for someone who is greatly admired
Sophia received the Grammy Award, the highest accolade in the music business.
Acme (Greek) the highest point of something
As a singer, Celine Dion has reached the acme of perfection.
Acumen (Latin) shrewdness, insight or discernment
The firm’s success is largely due to the chairman’s commercial acumen.
Addendum (Latin) something you add to the end of a speech or book to change it or give more information
“But they tasted just as good,” Bob said by way of an addendum, after a moment’s pause.
Ad hoc (Latin) for a particular purpose only or something hastily arranged
The Government has decided to set up an ad hoc committee to look into the farmers’ grievances.
Adieu (French) Goodbye!
James bid her adieu.
Ad infinitum (Latin) continuing
I have to explain this to A, then B, and C, and so on ad infinitum.
Adios (Spanish) Goodbye!
“Adios, Senor!” he said before leaping into the sea.
Ad lib (Latin) to deliver a spontaneous, extemporised speech or performance
The actors were forced to ad lib until the stagehands could free the jammed curtain.
Ad nauseam (Latin) to an excessive or sickening degree
James rattled on about his discovery ad nauseam.
Adonis (Greek) an exceptionally handsome young man
Aphrodite (Goddess of Love) fell in love with Adonis.
Adroit (French) clever, skilful, resourceful
Kim was an adroit negotiator.
Advocatus diabolic (Latin) a devil’s advocate; a person appointed to find fault in others
Brian would play advocatus diabolic with anyone.
Aegis (Greek) with the protection or support of a person or organisation
The refugee camp was operating under the aegis of the United Nations.
Aeon (Greek) an extremely long period of time
We shall awake, and live again and again from aeon unto aeon.
Affaire d’honneur (French) an argument or conflict involving a challenge to a person’s honour
The young duke considered the insult an affaire d’honneur and challenged his critic to a duel.
Aficionado (Spanish) someone who is very interested in a particular activity or subject and knows a lot about it
George thinks of himself as an aficionado of the arts.
Agent provocateur (French) someone who is employed to encourage people who are working against a government to do something illegal so that they can be arrested
The proper business of an agent provocateur is to provoke people.
Agitprop (Russian) propaganda, especially that of a political kind
Severe penalties were imposed on anyone suspected of actively spreading agitprop against the government.
Agnostic (Greek) someone who believes that people cannot know whether God exists or not
The word was coined by the biologist T.H. Huxley taking the Greek word ‘agnostos’ meaning ‘unknown.’
Agog (French) very excited about something
I have been agog all afternoon waiting for a telephone call from her.
Aide-de-camp (French) a military officer whose job is to help an officer of a higher rank
The general’s aide-de-camp was ordered to communicate with the army headquarters.
A la (French) in the same manner
The boys were singing and dancing in the rain a la Michael Jackson.
A la carte (French) from a menu on which each item is separately priced
As it was my birthday, I decided to treat my friends to dishes from the a la carte menu.