Classical foreign words and phrases are expressions borrowed from ancient or traditional languages—especially Latin and Greek, but also French, German, Italian, and others—that are commonly used in English, often without translation.
These phrases are called “classical” because they originate from classical languages and cultures that had a strong influence on Western education, law, science, philosophy, and literature.
List of Classical Foreign Words and Phrases –
Ad hoc: Established for a particular purpose
Ad interim: In the meantime
Ad nauseum: To a disgusting point
Alpha and omega: Beginning and end
Alma mater: Mother Institution
Anno domini: In the year of our lord A.D.
Alumni: Ex-students of college
Ante meridiem: between midnight and noon (A.M.)
Bizarre: Eccentric, fantastic
Bona fide: Regular, genuine
Cafe: Coffee house
Chauffeur: A car driver
De facto: Real
Dei gratia: By the grace of God
Dramatis personate: A list of actors in a play
En route: On the way
Genre: Style, kind, type
Id est: That is to say
Lingua franca: Common language of all
Mademoisselle: An unmarried girl
Monsieur: French equivalent of Mr.
Nota bene: N.B. take notice, note well
Parole: Word of honour
Par excellence: Very rare and unique
Per annum: Per year
Per capita: Per individual
Prima facie: Based on the first impression
Proforma: Model, form
Post meridiem: P.M. after mid-day
Status quo: Same position
Sine die: Without date, indefinitely
Tempo: Characteristic style of movement
Versus: Against
Vice versa: In opposed ways
Viva voce: Oral test
Ad hoc: for this (specific purpose)
Ad nauseam: to the point of nausea
Alma mater: nourishing mother (school one graduated from)
Anno Domini (A.D.): in the year of our Lord
De facto: in fact
De jure: by law
Et cetera (etc.): and the rest
Exempli gratia (e.g.): for example
Id est (i.e.): that is
In toto: entirely
Modus operandi (M.O.): method of operation
Per capita: per person
Post mortem: after death
Prima facie: at first sight
Requiescat in pace (R.I.P.): rest in peace
Status quo: the existing state
Terra firma: solid ground
Veni, vidi, vici: I came, I saw, I conquered
Vice versa: the other way around
Eureka: I have found it
Pathos: emotion
Ethos: character or credibility
Mythos: myth or traditional story
Democracy: rule of the people
Autocracy: self-rule
Phobia: fear
À la carte: from the menu
En route: on the way
Nom de plume: pen name
Par excellence: better than all others
Vis-à-vis: face to face / in relation to
Kindergarten: children’s garden
Bravo: well done
Fiasco: complete failure
Maestro: master (in music)
Paparazzi: celebrity photographers
Tutti frutti: all fruits
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Classical Foreign words and phrases
Kudos: Praise or glory
Id est (i.e.): That is (used to clarify).
🏛️ Common Contexts where Classical Foreign Words and Phrases are used-
Law: e.g., habeas corpus, sub poena, pro bono
Science/Medicine: e.g., in vitro, homo sapiens
Philosophy/Academia: e.g., a priori, tabula rasa
Everyday English: e.g., carpe diem, et cetera, status quo
