Latin Words That We Use Every Day

Most people think of Latin as an ancient, dead language - but actually, it influences our modern, everyday language more than most people realize. 

Latin is the parent of all the ‘Romance Languages’: Spanish, French, Romanian, Portuguese, and Italian. The very term ‘Romance’ means “coming from Rome. 

Latin was also used widely and often exclusively by and scholars up until the 18th Century. After St. Jerome translated the Bible from Greek to Latin in 382AD (in what was called ‘The Vulgate’), Church services were exclusively delivered in Latin in some places right up until the 1960s. 

As a result, we still use lots of Latin words in English, and particularly American English, today. Below are some examples. 

Latin Phrase: Ad hoc 

Literal Translation: To this 

Modern Usage: It’s used to mean “when necessary or needed”, for example, you could work with a tutor on an ad hoc basis 

Latin Phrase: Alma mater 

Literal Translation: Nourishing mother 

Modern Usage: It’s how Americans refer to their undergraduate college after they graduate 

Latin Phrase: Bona fide                       

Literal Translation: With good faith        

Modern Usage: It’s used to mean “genuine” or “real”, as in “He’s a bona fide Yankees fan”

Latin Phrase: De Facto

Literal Translation: Of fact 

Modern Usage: It’s used to mean “in fact”, whether something is by right or not. For example, a “De facto leader” is somebody who is in charge in practice, regardless of their right to be. 

Latin Phrase: Et cetera 

Literal Translation: And the rest 

Modern Usage: It’s used to mean “and so on…” or “and the rest”

Latin Phrase: Exempli gratia (e.g.)

Literal Translation: For the sake of example

Modern Usage: Often wrongly assumed to stand for “example given”, this abbreviation actually stems from Latin 

Latin Phrase: Id est (i.e.)

Literal Translation: That is 

Modern Usage: It’s used to give a more specific example, i.e this. 

Latin Phrase: Nota bene (n.b.)

Literal Translation: Note well 

Modern Usage: It’s used to emphasize an important point, essentially meaning “take note”

Latin Phrase: Pro Bono

Literal Translation: For the good 

Modern Usage: It’s used to describe a service given or performed for free, usually for charitable purposes

Latin Phrase: Quid pro quo 

Literal Translation: This for that 

Modern Usage: It’s used fairly literally, for example “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours - quid pro quo”

Latin Phrase: Status quo

Literal Translation: The state in which 

Modern Usage: It’s used to describe the regular scenario or generally accepted state of things 

Latin Phrase: Versus 

Literal Translation: Against

Modern Usage: It’s usually used in sports to to separate two opponents going against each other 

Latin Phrase: Vice versa

Literal Translation: In a turned/changed position 

Modern Usage: It’s used to describe something that is the same both ways, or interchangeable