Borrowed words, also known as loanwords, are words that have been adopted from one language and used in another language. These words often retain their original spelling and pronunciation, but may take on new meanings or be used in different ways in the borrowed language.
Borrowed words are often used to fill a lexical gap or to describe a concept or object that is new to the borrowing language. They can come from a variety of languages and are often an important part of the development of a language’s vocabulary.
List of Loanwords in English
Here’s a tabular list of 50 loanwords borrowed from other languages that are commonly used in the English language:
| Word | Language of Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar | Sanskrit | Incarnation |
| Bazaar | Persian | Marketplace |
| Cliché | French | Overused expression |
| Doppelganger | German | Double or lookalike |
| Espresso | Italian | Strong coffee |
| Feng shui | Chinese | Arrangement of objects for positive energy |
| Genre | French | Category or type |
| Hors d’oeuvre | French | Appetizer |
| Infinitesimal | Latin | Extremely small |
| Jihad | Arabic | Struggle or holy war |
| Karma | Sanskrit | Action and consequence |
| Lagniappe | Creole | Small gift or bonus |
| Macho | Spanish | Masculine or tough |
| Nirvana | Sanskrit | State of enlightenment |
| Oktoberfest | German | Annual beer festival |
| Pajama | Hindi | Loose-fitting clothing for sleeping |
| Quiche | French | Savory pie |
| Rendezvous | French | Meeting or appointment |
| Siesta | Spanish | Afternoon nap |
| Tornado | Spanish | Violent windstorm |
| Utopia | Greek | Perfect society |
| Viva | Spanish | Long live |
| Whiskey | Gaelic | Distilled alcoholic beverage |
| Xylophone | Greek | Musical instrument |
| Yoga | Sanskrit | Physical and mental practice |
| Zeitgeist | German | Spirit of the times |
| Amigo | Spanish | Friend |
| Bonanza | Spanish | Windfall or profitable discovery |
| Cognac | French | Brandy |
| Delicatessen | German | Deli or specialty food store |
| Eureka | Greek | Exclamation of discovery |
| Fiesta | Spanish | Celebration or party |
| Gourmet | French | Fine food or connoisseur |
| Harakiri | Japanese | Ritual suicide |
| Impresario | Italian | Entertainment producer |
| Jumbo | Swahili | Large or oversized |
| Kabuki | Japanese | Traditional theater |
| Lagniappe | Creole | Small gift or bonus |
| Malaise | French | Feeling of discomfort or unease |
| Nirvana | Sanskrit | State of enlightenment |
| Ombudsman | Swedish | Complaints handler |
| Peccadillo | Spanish | Minor sin or fault |
| Rendezvous | French | Meeting or appointment |
| Safari | Swahili | Expedition or trip |
| Tango | Spanish | Dance |
| Umami | Japanese | Savory or meaty taste |
| Veranda | Portuguese | Porch or balcony |
| Whimsical | German | Playful or fanciful |
| Xanadu | Chinese | Place of great luxury or beauty |
| Yoga | Sanskrit | Physical and mental practice |
| Zest | French | Lively or enthusiastic |
There are many Indian words added to English because of British rule in India. Following is a list loanwords from common Indian languages:
| Loanword | Language of Origin | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Avatar | Sanskrit | An incarnation or manifestation of a deity |
| Karma | Sanskrit | The concept of cause and effect in one’s life |
| Yoga | Sanskrit | A physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating in ancient India |
| Guru | Sanskrit | A spiritual teacher or mentor |
| Shampoo | Hindi | A cleansing product for hair |
| Bungalow | Hindi | A low, one-story house with a wide veranda |
| Chutney | Hindi | A spicy condiment made of fruits or vegetables |
| Pajamas | Hindi | Loose-fitting trousers and a jacket for sleeping or lounging |
| Jungle | Hindi | A dense forest or wilderness |
| Bandana | Hindi | A square piece of cloth worn as a headscarf or necktie |
| Loot | Hindi | To steal or plunder |
| Juggernaut | Hindi | An unstoppable force |
| Juggler | Hindi | A person who performs tricks by juggling objects |
| Nirvana | Sanskrit | A state of perfect peace and happiness |
| Sari | Hindi | A traditional garment worn by women in India |
| Avatar | Hindi | An incarnation or manifestation of a deity |
| Masala | Hindi | A mixture of spices used in Indian cuisine |
| Swami | Sanskrit | A Hindu religious teacher |
| Thug | Hindi | A criminal or ruthless person |
| Veranda | Bengali | A roofed platform along the outside of a house |
| Amma | Tamil/Malayalam | Mother or a respected woman |
| Curry | Tamil | A dish with a spiced sauce typically served with rice |
| Shiva | Sanskrit | A Hindu deity known as “The Destroyer” |
| Ghee | Sanskrit | Clarified butter used in Indian cooking |
| Coir | Malayalam | A natural fiber extracted from the husk of coconut and used in products such as ropes, mats, and brushes. |
| Namaste | Sanskrit | A greeting that means “I bow to you” |
| Chai | Hindi | Tea |
| Poppadum | Tamil | A thin, crisp Indian bread |
| Tiffin | Indian English | A light meal or snack |
| Vadai | Tamil | A savory Indian snack made from lentils or beans |
| Biryani | Urdu | A spiced rice dish typically made with meat or vegetables |
Why is Borrowing Necessary?
Borrowed words are important for several reasons:
- Filling Lexical Gaps: Borrowed words can help fill a gap in a language’s vocabulary for which there is no equivalent word or term. For example, the English language has borrowed many words from French, such as “restaurant” and “ballet,” because there were no existing words in English to describe these concepts.
- Enriching Vocabulary: Borrowed words can enrich a language’s vocabulary by introducing new words, expressions, and nuances. They can also bring with them cultural and historical references that provide insights into other cultures and ways of life.
- Facilitating Communication: Borrowed words can facilitate communication between speakers of different languages. For example, English is widely used as a lingua franca in many parts of the world, and the borrowing of words from other languages has helped make English more accessible to non-native speakers.
- Reflecting Language Contact and History: The borrowing of words reflects the historical and cultural contact between languages and can provide insights into the migration patterns, trade, and cultural exchange between different societies.
Overall, borrowed words are an important part of language evolution and development, and they continue to play a crucial role in the way we communicate and understand each other across linguistic and cultural barriers.
Quick Links