Foreign Words and Expressions | English Language Preparation for CUET UG PDF Download

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Introduction

Foreign words and expressions are words borrowed from other languages that we use in English. They add variety and flavor to how we speak and write. Over time, as English grew, people started using these words in everyday chats, especially during casual talks or spoken English. These words come from languages like Latin, French, German, and others, and they often have special meanings. Learning them is fun and useful, especially since they sometimes appear in exams. This guide will help you understand some common foreign words and expressions with simple explanations.

Foreign Words and Expressions with Simple Explanations

Here’s a list of some important foreign words and expressions, explained in easy English:

1. AB INITIO - From the beginning.
   Example: Starting a project ab initio means starting from scratch.
2. A CAPPELLA - Singing without instruments, like in a church style.
   Example: The group sang a cappella, just using their voices.
3. À DEUX - Involving two people.
   Example: They had a dinner à deux, just the two of them.
4. AD HOC - Made or done for a specific reason.
   Example: We made an ad hoc plan for the sudden rain.
5. AD INTERIM - For the time being; temporary.
   Example: She’s the ad interim leader until we find someone permanent.
6. AD NAUSEAM - Too much, to the point of being annoying.
   Example: He talked ad nauseam about his new car.
7. A FORTIORI - Even more certain or stronger.
   Example: If she can lift 10 kg, a fortiori, she can lift 5 kg.
8. AGENT PROVOCATEUR - Someone who tricks a person into breaking the law to catch them.
   Example: The police used an agent provocateur to stop the crime.
9. À HUIS CLOS - In private, behind closed doors.
   Example: The meeting was held à huis clos, with no outsiders.
10. AL DENTE - Cooked but still a little firm when you bite it.
    Example: I like my pasta al dente, not too soft.
11. ALFRESCO - Outside in the open air.
    Example: We ate alfresco on the balcony.
12. AMOUR PROPRE - Self-respect or pride in yourself.
    Example: He didn’t reply because of his amour propre.
13. ANNUS MIRABILIS - A special or amazing year.
    Example: 2020 was an annus mirabilis for unexpected reasons.
14. A POSTERIORI - Based on facts or past events, not guesses.
    Example: We made the decision a posteriori, after seeing the results.
15. A PRIORI - Based on logic or guesses, not experience.
    Example: I assumed a priori that it would rain today.
16. AU COURANT - Knowing the latest news or updates.
    Example: She’s au courant with all the trends.
17. AU FAIT - Knowing a lot about something.
    Example: He’s au fait with cooking fancy dishes.
18. AU FOND - At the core or basically.
    Example: Au fond, she’s a kind person.
19. AU NATUREL - In a natural or simple way.
    Example: She likes her food au naturel, without sauce.
20. BEAU GESTE - A kind or noble act.
    Example: Helping the stranger was a beau geste.
21. BEAU IDÉAL - The perfect example of something.
    Example: This painting is the beau idéal of art.
22. BEAU MONDE - Fancy, fashionable people.
    Example: The party was full of beau monde.
23. BEAUX-ARTS - Fine arts, like painting or sculpture.
    Example: She studies beaux-arts at college.
24. BÊTE NOIRE - Something or someone you really dislike.
    Example: Math is my bête noire.
25. BELLES-LETTRES - Beautifully written stories or books.
    Example: She loves reading belles-lettres.
26. BILLET-DOUX - A love letter.
    Example: He sent her a sweet billet-doux.
27. BLITZKRIEG - A fast, strong attack to win quickly.
    Example: The team used a blitzkrieg to finish the game.
28. BONA FIDE - Real or honest.
    Example: It’s a bona fide offer, not a trick.
29. BON MOT - A clever or funny saying.
    Example: She always has a bon mot to share.
30. BON VIVANT - Someone who enjoys life and luxury.
    Example: He’s a bon vivant who loves parties.
31. BRASSERIE - A casual restaurant.
    Example: We ate at a cozy brasserie.
32. CARPE DIEM - Enjoy the moment; live now.
    Example: Let’s carpe diem and have fun today!
33. CARTE BLANCHE - Total freedom to do what you want.
    Example: She gave me carte blanche to plan the trip.
34. CAUSE CÉLÈBRE - A big issue everyone talks about.
    Example: The trial became a cause célèbre.
35. CAVEAT EMPTOR - Buyer beware; check before you buy.
    Example: Caveat emptor applies when shopping online.
36. C’EST LA GUERRE - That’s war; things happen.
    Example: We lost, but c’est la guerre.
37. CHACUN À SON GOUT - To each their own taste.
    Example: I don’t like it, but chacun à son gout.
38. CHEF-D’ŒUVRE - A masterpiece; something amazing.
    Example: This book is a chef-d’œuvre.
39. CHERCHEZ LA FEMME - Look for the woman behind the problem.
    Example: There’s drama? Cherchez la femme!
40. COMME IL FAUT - Proper or polite behavior.
    Example: She acted comme il faut at the event.
41. COMPOS MENTIS - Sane; in control of your mind.
    Example: He’s compos mentis despite the stress.
42. COGNOSCENTI - People who know a lot about something.
    Example: The cognoscenti loved the new film.
43. CORDON SANITAIRE - A barrier to stop something spreading.
    Example: They set a cordon sanitaire around the sick area.
44. COSA NOSTRA - A secret crime group, like the Mafia.
    Example: Cosa Nostra controlled the streets.
45. COUP DE FOUDRE - Love at first sight.
    Example: It was coup de foudre when they met.
46. COUP DE GRÂCE - A final blow to end suffering.
    Example: The goal was the coup de grâce in the match.
47. COUP DE MAIN - A surprise attack or help.
    Example: We gave them a coup de main to finish.
48. COUP D’ÉTAT - A sudden takeover of power.
    Example: The army planned a coup d’état.
49. CRI DE CŒUR - A deep, emotional cry for help.
    Example: Her speech was a cri de cœur.
50. CUI BONO? - Who benefits?
    Example: Cui bono from this decision?
51. DE FACTO - Happening in reality, even if not official.
    Example: He’s the de facto leader of the group.
52. DEI GRATIA - By God’s grace.
    Example: She succeeded dei gratia.
53. DÉJÀ VU - Feeling like something has happened before.
    Example: This place gives me déjà vu.
54. DE JURE - By law or officially.
    Example: She’s the de jure owner of the house.
55. DE NOS JOURS - Of our time; modern.
    Example: De nos jours, everyone uses phones.
56. DEO GRATIAS - Thanks to God.
    Example: Deo gratias, we’re safe!
57. DEO VOLENTE - If God wills it.
    Example: We’ll meet again, deo volente.
58. DE PROFUNDIS - From the depths; a deep feeling.
    Example: He spoke de profundis about his sadness.
59. DE RIGUEUR - Required by fashion or rules.
    Example: A tie is de rigueur at the event.
60. DERNIER CRI - The latest trend.
    Example: Her dress is the dernier cri.
61. DE TROP - Too much; not needed.
    Example: His advice felt de trop.
62. DEUS EX MACHINA - A sudden solution to a problem.
    Example: The hero’s rescue was a deus ex machina.
63. DOLCE FAR NIENTE - The joy of doing nothing.
    Example: I love the dolce far niente on weekends.
64. DOLCE VITA - A life full of pleasure.
    Example: She dreams of the dolce vita.
65. DOPPELGÄNGER - Someone who looks just like you.
    Example: I saw my doppelgänger at the mall!
66. MODUS OPERANDI - A way of doing things.
    Example: His modus operandi is always careful planning.
67. MODUS VIVENDI - A way for people to get along.
    Example: They found a modus vivendi despite their fights.
68. MOT JUSTE - The perfect word.
    Example: She found the mot juste to describe it.
69. NE PLUS ULTRA - The best of the best.
    Example: This cake is the ne plus ultra of desserts.
70. NIL DESPERANDUM - Don’t give up.
    Example: Nil desperandum, we’ll try again!
71. NOBLESSE OBLIGE - With power comes duty.
    Example: He helps others because of noblesse oblige.
72. NOLENS VOLENS - Whether you like it or not.
    Example: Nolens volens, I had to finish the work.

Conclusion

These foreign words and expressions make English more interesting and lively. They’re often used in casual talks and can pop up in exams too. Learning them not only helps you score better but also makes your conversations cooler. So, practice these, and you’ll sound smart and confident!