Humanities › History & Culture Latin Words in English Print Ababsolutum / Getty Images History & Culture Ancient History and Culture Ancient Languages Figures & Events Greece Egypt Asia Rome Mythology & Religion American History African American History African History Asian History European History Genealogy Inventions Latin American History Medieval & Renaissance History Military History The 20th Century Women's History View More By N.S. Gill N.S. Gill Ancient History and Latin Expert M.A., Linguistics, University of Minnesota B.A., Latin, University of Minnesota N.S. Gill is a Latinist, writer, and teacher of ancient history and Latin. She has been featured by NPR and National Geographic for her ancient history expertise. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on May 26, 2019 Interested in increasing your vocabulary? Here are some English words from Latin directly or from Latin via French or Spanish. These words are thought to have come from newspaper articles from around 1923. One of the words on the list, mattoid, does not appear to be used any longer, so it is not included. Read More Use These Latin Words in English Conversations By N.S. Gill acumen - ability to make good judgmentsagenda - list of things to be donealtruism - selfless concern for othersambiguous - having a double meaningaplomb (Fr.) - self-confidenceatrocity - cruel actavarice - greedbibulous - excessively fond of drinking alcoholcelibate - abstaining from sex or marriagechivalrous (Fr.) - gallantcondign - worthy, appropriateconglomerate - parts put together to form a unit while remaining separate identitiescrepuscular - pertaining to twilightcull - select from a variety of sourcesdebilitate - weakendirigible - capable of being guidedfacsimile - exact copyferrous - made of ironflux - in the process of flowingfutile - in vaingarrulity - loquaciousnessimpecunious - poorincalculable - too great to be countedincommunicado (Sp.) - not in communication with othersindefatigability - tirelessinsipid - lacking flavorintrospection - looking within at one's mental or emotional statelanguid - slow, relaxedlucubration - meditationmalfeasance (Fr.) - wrongdoingmodicum - small amountmoribund - near deathmundane - worldly as opposed to spiritualnaive - exhibiting lack of experienceobeisance - respectobvious - clear (from the Latin for "in the way")parvenu - celebrity from obscure originsperpetuate - preserveperturb - make anxiousplausible - probableprecarious - uncertainpuerile - childishly sillypulchritude - beautypusillanimity - showing a lack of couragerapport - close relationshiprapprochement (Fr.) - establishment of a harmonious relationshiprecalcitrant - obstinaterenegade - a rebellious personreprisal - retaliationsacrosanct - very important or holy and not to be messed withsimulacrum - imagestipend - fixed allowancestultify - make appear foolish, cause to loose enthusiasmsuccumb - fail to resisttaunt (Fr.) - provoketentative - provisionalturpitude - depravityubiquity - found everywhere Source: "Learn a Word Every Day" by Lillian B. Lawler. The Classical Journal, Vol. 18, No. 5. (Feb. 1923), pp. 299-301. Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Gill, N.S. "Latin Words in English." ThoughtCo, Aug. 27, 2020, thoughtco.com/latin-words-in-english-118438. Gill, N.S. (2020, August 27). Latin Words in English. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-words-in-english-118438 Gill, N.S. "Latin Words in English." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/latin-words-in-english-118438 (accessed April 20, 2024). copy citation