Language is always changing, and every day, people come up with new words to express their thoughts and feelings. Some of these words don’t appear in the English dictionary, yet you probably hear or use them all the time.
You might be surprised at how many of these words you already know! Which of these words have you used?
1. Firstly
- Meaning: It’s used to introduce the first point in a list, similar to “first.”
“Firstly” came from the need to make “first” sound more formal by adding the “-ly” ending, like other ordinal numbers (secondly, thirdly). However, many language experts suggest using “first” instead because “firstly” can sound awkward.
2. Anyways
- Meaning: It means “in any case” or “regardless.” People often use it to change the subject or continue a conversation.
The word “anyway” is the correct form, but “anyways” has been used in casual speech for a long time. It comes from Middle English, but over time, the added “s” stuck around in informal talk.
3. Gonna
- Meaning: It’s a short, informal way of saying “going to.”
This word has evolved from fast, casual speech. Instead of saying “going to,” people started saying “gonna” because it’s quicker and easier. It’s not considered proper in formal writing, but it’s very common in spoken language.
4. Impactful
- Meaning: Describes something that has a strong effect or influence.
“Impactful” was first used in the 1950s, even though some people argue it’s not a real word. (ref) It’s created by adding “-ful” to “impact,” which isn’t normally done with nouns.
While not officially recognized at first, it became popular because people found it useful for describing things that leave a big impression.
5. Irregardless
- Meaning: People use it to mean “regardless” or “without regard,” but it’s technically incorrect.
A blend of “regardless” and “irrespective,” this word has been around since the 19th century, but most experts say it’s a double negative because “ir-” and “-less” both indicate negation. Still, it shows up often in casual speech.
6. Conversate
- Meaning: It’s an informal way of saying “converse” or “have a conversation.
“Conversate” likely came from African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and has been used in spoken language for a long time. The standard word is “converse,” but “conversate” became common in certain communities, especially in the U.S. (ref)
It’s now more accepted in casual settings but still not considered formal.
7. Literally
- Meaning: This word means “in a literal way,” which is the opposite of figurative. People often use it to emphasize something.
From the Latin word “literalis,” which means “of or belonging to letters,” it has been used in English since the 14th century. In recent years, people started using “literally” to exaggerate, like saying, “I was literally freezing,” even when they weren’t.
This use can confuse people because it strays from its original meaning.
8. Prolly
- Meaning: This is a casual way of saying “probably.”
This word is an example of a shortened word that comes from informal speech. It’s not officially recognized in standard English, but it has been used in texting and chatting for a long time.
The shortening makes it easier and quicker to say in casual conversations.
9. Ginormous
- Meaning: This fun word means “really huge” or “gigantic.”
“Ginormous” is a blend of “gigantic” and “enormous.” It became popular in the early 2000s, especially in children’s language and pop culture. While it’s not found in formal dictionaries, many people use it to describe something extremely large in a playful way.
10. Snuck
- Meaning: This is the past tense of “sneak,” meaning to move quietly or secretly.
Considered informal, some people think it’s incorrect because the traditional past tense is “sneaked.” However, “snuck” has been used in American English since the early 19th century.
It’s now widely accepted in casual conversation, though you might still see “sneaked” in formal writing.
11. Madded
- Meaning: This word is used to mean “made mad” or “angry.”
This word isn’t a standard word and isn’t found in dictionaries. It’s often used in informal speech, especially among younger people.
It likely comes from the way people like to add “-ed” endings to words to create a new form, similar to “badded” for “made bad.” While it may not be correct in formal writing, it reflects how language can evolve and adapt in everyday talk.
12. Nother
- Meaning: This word is often used as a casual way to say “another,” usually for emphasis. For example, “That’s a whole nother problem.”
“Nother” is a combination of “another” and “other.” It’s been used in spoken English for a long time, especially in informal settings.
Although it isn’t found in standard dictionaries, it shows how people can creatively alter words to convey meaning in a more colorful way.
13. Orientate
- Meaning: This means to orient or to get familiar with something, like a new place or situation.
Derived from the word “orient,” which comes from Latin “orientare,” meaning “to rise,” the use of “orientate” became more common in British English in the 20th century. While many people prefer “orient” for its simplicity, “orientate” is widely used in various fields, especially in education.
14. Funner
- Meaning: This is an informal way to say “more fun.”
It’s not considered standard English, but often used in casual conversations, especially among children and young people. While “more fun” is the grammatically correct form, “funner” has become popular because it sounds simpler and easier to say.
It’s been in use since the early 20th century but is still debated among language experts.
15. Humongous
- Meaning: This word means extremely large or huge.
A mix of “huge” and “monstrous,” it became popular in American English around the 1980s and is often used in informal speech, especially by children. It adds a playful tone when describing something very big, making it a favorite in everyday conversations.
These words show how creative and playful we can be with our words—they definitely play an important role in our daily conversations.
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
