Foreign Words & Phrases
International vocabulary used in English • 174 words available
Filter Words
a cappella
singing without instrumental accompaniment; purely vocal music
Literal meaning:
"in the manner of the chapel"
Example:
"The choir sang the hymn a cappella during the service."
à deux
by two; intended for two people
Literal meaning:
"to two"
Example:
"They shared the dessert à deux at the tiny table for two."
a fortiori
with even stronger reason; all the more so
Literal meaning:
"from the stronger"
Example:
"If the child can't lift that toy, a fortiori she can't lift the box; the rule applies even more so."
à huis clos
behind closed doors; in private (often legal)
Literal meaning:
"with closed doors"
Example:
"The trial was held à huis clos to protect the witness identities."
a posteriori
based on observation or experience; reasoning after the fact
Literal meaning:
"from what comes after"
Example:
"A posteriori analysis of the survey revealed unexpected trends."
a priori
known or assumed without empirical evidence; from theory
Literal meaning:
"from the earlier"
Example:
"He rejected the hypothesis a priori without waiting for data."
ab initio
from the beginning; from the outset
Literal meaning:
"from the beginning"
Example:
"The contract was void ab initio because of fraud."
ad hoc
for this specific purpose; improvised or temporary
Literal meaning:
"for this"
Example:
"The team formed an ad hoc committee to review the issue."
ad infinitum
to infinity; endlessly
Literal meaning:
"to infinity"
Example:
"The conversation could repeat ad infinitum if they don't agree."
ad interim
for the meantime; temporary appointment
Literal meaning:
"for the meantime"
Example:
"She was appointed ad interim while a permanent hire was sought."
ad nauseam
repeated so often it becomes annoying or sickening
Literal meaning:
"to the point of nausea"
Example:
"They debated the trivial point ad nauseam and wore everyone out."
agent provocateur
a person who incites others to commit illegal acts so they can be arrested or discredited
Literal meaning:
"provoking agent"
Example:
"Authorities suspected an agent provocateur had infiltrated the rally."
al dente
cooked so that food (especially pasta) is still firm to the bite
Literal meaning:
"to the tooth"
Example:
"Boil the spaghetti until it is perfectly al dente."
alfresco
in the open air; outdoors
Literal meaning:
"in the open air"
Example:
"They enjoyed an alfresco lunch on the patio."
amour propre
self-esteem; a sensitivity about one’s dignity or pride
Literal meaning:
"self love/pride"
Example:
"His amour propre prevented him from accepting criticism."
annus mirabilis
a remarkable or wonderful year
Literal meaning:
"wonderful year"
Example:
"The small company enjoyed an annus mirabilis following the launch."
au courant
up-to-date; fully informed
Literal meaning:
"in the current"
Example:
"She stayed au courant with the latest research publications."
au fait
well-informed; conversant with
Literal meaning:
"to the fact"
Example:
"He is au fait with contemporary tax law."
au fond
in fact; fundamentally; at bottom
Literal meaning:
"at the bottom/depths"
Example:
"Au fond, she wanted to move on from the argument."
au naturel
in a natural state; without artificial enhancement
Literal meaning:
"in the natural state"
Example:
"The portrait showed the subject au naturel, without makeup."
beau geste
a gracious or noble gesture, often symbolic
Literal meaning:
"beautiful gesture"
Example:
"Returning the lost wallet was a beau geste that impressed everyone."
beau idéal
an ideal of beauty or perfection; the perfect example
Literal meaning:
"beautiful ideal"
Example:
"He sought the beau idéal in every composition he painted."
beau monde
fashionable society; the social elite
Literal meaning:
"beautiful world"
Example:
"The gala attracted the beau monde from across the country."
beaux arts
the fine arts (painting, sculpture, architecture, etc.)
Literal meaning:
"fine arts"
Example:
"She studied the beaux arts at the conservatory."
belles-lettres
literary works valued for their aesthetic quality rather than technical subject matter
Literal meaning:
"beautiful writings/letters"
Example:
"His shelves were filled with belles-lettres from the 19th century."
bête noire
a person or thing that one particularly dislikes or dreads
Literal meaning:
"black beast"
Example:
"Traffic jams are his bête noire during the commute."
billet-doux
a love letter
Literal meaning:
"sweet note"
Example:
"He tucked a small billet-doux into her book."
blitzkrieg
a swift, sudden military attack designed for quick victory; an overwhelming offensive
Literal meaning:
"lightning war"
Example:
"The campaign resembled a political blitzkrieg with rapid moves."
bon mot
a witty remark or clever comment
Literal meaning:
"good word"
Example:
"His bon mot lightened the tense meeting."
bon vivant
a person who enjoys the good things in life, especially food and drink
Literal meaning:
"good living"
Example:
"A true bon vivant, he loved hosting dinner parties."