latin phrases to use in essays

77 Common Latin Words and Phrases Used in English That You Should Know.

It’s guaranteed that you have or will run into some of these Latin terms in anything including the lightest reading. That’s because they’re everywhere. In newspapers, textbooks, manuals,  et cetera . They are used in,  inter alia , academic writing, text messaging, and, quite extensively, law documents. So, they are,  ipso facto , very important to know.  Ergo , we thought it’s a good idea to combine these common Latin words and phrases in one place and explain what they mean so that when you run into some of them next time, you go like, ha! I have seen this word somewhere and I know what it means. So, let’s get down to it. 

1.  a priori

A belief or conclusion based on assumptions or reasoning of some sort rather than actual experience or empirical evidence. Before actually encountering, experiencing, or observing a fact.

2.  a posteriori.  

A fact, belief, or argument that is based on actual experience, experiment, or observation. After the fact.

3.  ad astra.

To the stars.

4.  ad hoc.

For a particular situation, without planning or consideration of some broader purpose or application.

5.  ad hominem.

Directed to a particular person rather than generally, such as an attack on a person rather than a position they are espousing.

6.  ad infinitum.

Repeat forever.

7.  ad lib

Short for  ad libitum.  As you desire, at one’s pleasure. To speak or perform without preparation.

8.  ad nauseam. 

Repetition that has become annoying or tiresome.

9.  affidavit.

He has sworn. Sworn statement.

10.  alma mater.

Nourishing, kind, bounteous mother. School from which one graduated.

11.  alias.

Also known as. Otherwise known as. Less commonly as the proper meaning of at another time, otherwise.

12.  alibi.  

In another place. Elsewhere. Reason one couldn’t have been in a location where an act was committed.

13.  alter ego.

Other self. Another side of oneself.

14.  A.D.

short for  anno Domini.  In the year of our Lord. Number of years since the birth of Jesus Christ.

15.  a.m.

Short for  ante meridiem.  Before midday (noon.) Morning.

16.  animus . 

Spirit, mind, courage anger. Animosity. Intense opposition and ill will towards something, somebody, or some social group, commonly emotional, passionate, and mean-spirited. Hatred.

17.  ante . 

Before. Earlier. In a Supreme Court opinion,  ante  refers to an earlier page of the same opinion.

18.  ante bellum.

Before the war.

19.  ante mortem.  

Before death. 

20.  bona fide.

Genuine. Real. With no intention to deceive.

21.  c.  /  ca. /   or   cca.

Short for  circa.  Around. About. Approximately. Relative to a certain year.

22.  carpe diem.

Seize the day or moment. Make the best of the present rather than delay or focus on the future.

23.  caveat .

Warning, caution, disclaimer, or stipulation.

24.  cf.

Short for  confer.  Compare to. In reference to, as a comparison.

25.  cogito ergo sum . 

I think, therefore I am — Descartes.

26.  consensus.

Agreement. General or widespread agreement.

27.  corpus.

Body, especially of written or textual matter such as books and papers.

28.  curriculum .

Race. Course of a race. Path of a race. Subjects comprising a course of academic study.

29.  CV  

Short for  curriculum vitae.  The course of one’s life. Resume. List of significant academic and professional accomplishments, achievements, awards, education, and training.

30.  de facto.  

True or matter of fact as it is, regardless of intent, good reason, authority, or official reason for being such.

31.  dictum.

Something said. Noteworthy, authoritative statement or principle. Common wisdom.

32.  doctor.  

Teacher. Learned person. Doctor.

33. ergo. 

34.  et al.  .

Short for  et alia  (neuter plural) or  et alii  (masculine plural) or  et aliae  (feminine plural). And others. And all of the others.

35.  etc.  

Short for  et cetera.

36.  e pluribus unum.  

— Out of many, one — U.S. motto.

37.  ex post.

38.  ex post facto..

After the fact.

39.  e.g.  

Short for e xempli gratia.  For the sake of example. For example.

40.  ibid.  

Short for  ibidem  or  ib idem.  In the same place. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same place as the preceding citation.

41.  id.  

short for  idem.  From the same source. For a citation, indicates that it is from the same source, but not from the same location in that source. In contrast to  ibidem  ( ibid. ) which means the same location or place in the same source as the preceding citation.

42.  i.e.  

Short for  id est.  That is. In other words.

43.  in absentia.  

Conducted in the absence of.

44.  in camera.  

In chambers. In private, commonly for legal proceedings, in the judge’s office (chambers.) before digital photography cameras were little “chambers.”

45.  in situ.  

In position. In place.

46.  in toto.  

As a whole. Entirely. All of it.

47.  incognito.  

Unknown. With one’s identity concealed. This is actually an Italian word, derived from the Latin word  incognitus.

48.  inter alia.  

Among others. Among other things.

49.  innuendo.  

By nodding. Implied. Indirectly implied. Suggested. Oblique allusion.

50.  intra.  

Within. In a Supreme Court opinion, refers to a decision of another court, typically an appeals court.

51.  ipso facto.  

By that very fact or act. Therefore.

51.  lingua franca.  

Common language in a multi-language environment. Technically, it’s Italian.

52.  magnum opus.  

Great work. Greatest work. Masterpiece.

53.  M.O.  

short for  modus operandi.  Mode or method of operation. How you do things.

54.  n.b.  or  N.B.  

short for  nota bene.  Note well. It is worth noting that.

55.  per capita.  

Per person, for each person, of a population. Individually, but not for any particular person.

56.  per cent.  

or  percent  short for  per centum.  For each one hundred.

57.  per se.  

By itself. Intrinsically. Specifically.

58.  p.m. /   PM  

short for  post meridiem.  After midday (noon.) Afternoon.

59.  post.  

After. Later. In a Supreme Court opinion,  post  refers to a later page of the same opinion.

60.  post mortem.  

After death.

61.  prima facie.  

On its face. Accepted on its face. Accepted as true based on initial impression. Accepted as true unless proven false.

62.  PS.  

short for  post scriptum.  Written after. After what has been written. In addition to what has been written. In addition.

63.  quasi.  

As if. As though. Resembling. Similar but not quite exactly the same. Having many but not all the features of.

64.  quid pro quo.  

This for that. An exchange of goods or services. A barter transaction. Any contractual transaction.

65.  sic  

or  [sic].  So, this. The previous word should be taken literally even if it is not correct or appropriate.

66.  stat.  

or  stat  short for  statim.  Immediately. Now. without delay.

67.  status quo.  

The existing state of affairs. As it is. As things are.

68.  stricto sensu

or  sensu stricto.  In a narrow, tight, or strict sense. Strictly speaking.

69.  sui generis.  

Of its own kind. Unique. Outside of existing categories. In law, outside of existing law.

70.  supra.  

Above. From the previous cited source.

71.  tabula rasa.  

Clean slate. Blank slate. Absence of any preconceived notions, ideas, goals, or purpose.

72.  veni, vidi, vici.  

I came, I saw, I conquered.

73.  verbatim.  

The same exact words. Literally.

74.  vs.  

short for  versus.  Against. In opposition to. As opposed to. In contrast to.

75.  veto.  

I forbid. Reject.

76. v ice versa.  

As well as the two immediately preceding subjects of a statement reversed. The same either way. The other way around.

77.  viz.  

short for  videre licet  or  videlicet.  Namely. That is.

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11 thoughts on “77 common latin words and phrases used in english that you should know.”.

These are just great. Keep going Nerds – you provide a great service. Thank you.

A question: given the presence of Latin in English why is it not considered a member of the Romance languages?

Correction:

This should be “ad nauseam”

OMG — Did you actually misspell “ad nauseam”? lol

Dear Nerds, pleae note the small spelling error: it should read „ad nauseam“. Keep up the good work!

English branched out from Germanic languages picking up structures, phones, and other characteristics of the language group, though most vocabulary came from Latin and other romantic languages, it still is not considered one as changes came after when trades and globalisation happened and not originally from the English language.

You could include “stet”, meaning “let it stand”. It is a term used in editing, and means “disregard the correction that was made previously”.

The list is incomplete. You missed QED. Quod errat demonstrandum. It has been proved/shown;-)

Excellent keep up the good work Nerds

One r Quod erat demonstratum

Best to write AM / PM in capital letters. (‘periods’ are out of fashion) and it’s harder to read. a.m. / p.m. and quicker to type.

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25 Latin Phrases Every Student Should Know Posted by Brittany Britanniae on Jun 3, 2015 in Latin Language

These phrases will assist in all student’s ability to write well and impress their instructors. Thus, here is a list of Latin phrases that student should try to use and commit to memory during the summer for their fall terms (if they are not in summer school/session). Latin is more than a dead language; it is access to a better understanding to terms that are used in daily academics.

A generated meme created at Philosoraptor

1. Carpe diem : This well-known phrase comes from a poem by Horace. While there have been arguments about the exact translation, it is most commonly held to mean “seize the day” encouraging individuals to live life to the fullest today without expectation of a tomorrow.

2. Cogito ergo sum : Translated from the Latin, the quote means “I think, therefore I am” and comes from the writing of philosopher Rene Descartes. 6

3. Veni, vidi, vici : These famous words were purported uttered by Roman emperor Julius Caesar after a short war with Pharnaces II of Pontus. Translated, it means “I came, I saw, I conquered” an adage you can hopefully keep in mind come finals time.

4. In vino veritas : If you’re old enough to drink or have been around others who have imbibed, you’re more than likely already familiar with the wisdom behind this quote from Pliny the Elder meaning, “in wine there is the truth.” It is often followed up with “in aqua sanitas” or “in water there is health”– something all college students should remember.

5. E pluribus unum : Simply take a look at American currency to see this Latin phrase in use. It means “out of many, one” and is found on anything bearing the seal of the United States.

6. Et tu, Brute?: These are the famous last words of Julius Caesar after he is murdered by his friend Marcus Brutus in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. They mean “Even you, Brutus?” and are used poetically today to designate any form of the utmost betrayal.

7. Ad infinitum : You might be able to guess what this phrase means simply through its similarity to the word we use in English. It means “to infinity” and can be used to describe something that goes on, seemingly or actually endlessly, as some students might feel about certain classes.

8. De facto : In Latin, de facto means “from the fact” and in use in English it is often used to distinguish was is supposed to be the case from what is actually the reality. For example, legally, employers are not allowed to discriminate in hiring because of age, but many still practice de facto (in reality, in fact) discrimination.

9. In toto : No, this phrase doesn’t mean that the cute little dog from The Wizard of Oz ate something, it means in all or entirely. Think of it as saying “in total” in a really weird voice.

10. Ipso facto : Meaning “by the fact itself” this commonly used and misused term is denotes when something is true by its very nature. For example, if you don’t feed your dog you are ipso facto a bad owner.

11. Tabula rasa : When you were a child, your mind might have been more of a tabula rasa than it is today. This Latin phrase means “clean slate” and denotes something or someone not affected by experiences and impressions.

12. Terra firma : Those who hate to fly or get seriously seasick will be able to put this term to good use. It means firm ground, and you might be thanking your lucky stars to be back on it after a trip through the air or rough waters.

13. Mea culpa : If you want to admit your own guilt or wrongdoing in a situation, use this Latin phrase that translates literally to “my fault.” It’s a bit like a fancier, less outdated way of saying “my bad.”

14. Persona non grata : From the Latin meaning an “unacceptable person” this term designates someone who’s no longer welcome in a social or business situation.

15. In situ : If something happens in situ it happens in place or on site, though the term often designates something that exists in an original or natural state. Like a rare species sighted in situ or an invaluable artifact found on an archeological site.

16. In vitro : Most students will be familiar with this term because of modern fertility treatments, but have you ever considered what the term actually means? In Latin, in vitro means “in glass” and any biological process that occurs in the laboratory rather than in the body or a natural setting can be called in vitro.

17. In vivo : While an experiment taking place in a glass test tube might not cause a stir, many are up in arms about this kind of experimentation. In vivo means “within the living” and the two most common examples of this kind of experimentation are animal testing and clinical trials.

18. Ante bellum : During your history courses, you’re bound to encounter this term. It means in the most basic sense “before the war” and while it can be applied to any 4 war it is most commonly used to refer to the American Civil War and the Antebellum Era the preceded it.

19. Sic : Found in writing, this Latin word most commonly finds a home in brackets (like this: [sic]) when quoting a statement or writing. It indicates that there is a spelling or grammar error (or just something out of the ordinary) in the original quotation and that the publication has only reproduced it faithfully, not made an error of their own.

20. Id est : You’ve likely seen this term in writing before, even if you weren’t aware as it is commonly abbreviated to i.e. In Latin, it means “that is” and is used in English when the speaker or writer wants to give an example or explanation that specifies a statement.

21. Deus ex machina : In direct translation, this term means, “God out of a machine” and it harkens back ancient Greek and Roman plays. When the plot would become too tangled or confusing, the writers would simply bring in God, lowered in via a pulley system (the machine) and he would wrap it all up. Today, it’s still used in literature to describe a plot where an artificial or improbable means of resolving a conflict is used.

22. Exempli gratia : You’ll often see this term abbreviated to e.g. in writing. It means “for the sake of example” and when it see it in a sentence you can expect that is will be followed by some examples.

23. Et cetera : Few out there aren’t familiar with this term but may not know it as well when it’s spelled out like this and not abbreviated as etc. Meaning “and the others” it is used to denote that a list of things could continue ad infinitum (see below for definition) and that for the sake of brevity it’s better to just wrap things up with a simple etc.

24. Ex libris : Back in the days when books were rarer and more expensive commodities than they were today, it was common to mark your books with a label bearing your own name and this phrase which means “from the library of.” While not as common today, some true bibliophiles still use the labels.

25. Ibidem : Another abbreviated term, this word is more commonly seen in research writing in the form of “ibid.” From the Latin for “in the same place” it is found in footnotes and bibliographies to designate that the same source has been cited twice in succession.

26. Et alii: You’re unlikely to encounter this Latin phrase in its unabbreviated form, and will most likely only ever see it as et al when included. This is also a term that is found in footnotes and bibliographies which allows writers to refer to a large 3 number of authors without having to write each name out (for example, you could say that your source is Dr. Henry Jones et al.)

Information courtesy of www.oedb.org

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About the Author: Brittany Britanniae

Hello There! Please feel free to ask me anything about Latin Grammar, Syntax, or the Ancient World.

Re #10 above – reportedly Art Buchwald had a lapso apso named Ipso Facto.

@Maggie Lhasa* Apso

I would live to learn everything about Latin as a language – I would love to learn all the meaning translation etc

Jose Barba Martin:

Ego re vera aliquem (virum vel mulierem) voluerim cognoscere qui/quae sua vice etiam desideraret Litteras latine mecum exarare et mutuatim dare.

David L. Crockett:

CARPE SCROTUM: ‘Seize the testicles and the man will follow.’ Seriously, I have heard the common greeting among Roman men was to briefly cup each other’s testicles. It emplied both power and trust. Has anyone else heard this? I’ve asked this elsewhere, but I’ll put it out there again: Has anyone heard of a comical poem in Latin, English and a corruption of both, entitled: “Unus Canis et Duo Pouer”? My latin teacher gave her class a copy if this many years ago, but I lost it and can’t find it anywhere on the web. It’s about two boys and their hound dog on a “coon” hunt under a full moon. All I remember is the very beginning…”The nocht was lit by lux of luna, twas a nocht most opportuna for a possum or a coona. Unus cainus et dou pouer, the former, of which, there was none truer…” And the rest I don’t remember. Quite possibly it was never published. Would appreciate any help. My Latin teacher always used the phrase “Ad Infinitum, Ad Nausium”, so I’ll end here. Remember: ID EST QUOD ID EST!

Asinus asinum fricat

Have you ever come across an ancient Greek or Hebrew phrase, “sealed of,” denoting the sealing authority, whose name or mark is represented in the seal itself, for example (and this is hypothetical), “the letter was sealed of Plato,” or “was sealed of Athens?” I suspect that such a phrase would naturally evolve over the thousands of years of the seal’s use, an abbreviated phrase distinguishing between the one who might perform the sealing and the authorizing power that stands behind it.

Were the words, “sealed of,” used anciently in Greek or in Hebrew to denote the particular authority standing behind a given seal?

Thanks for the resource

Books 'n' Backpacks

Your Guide to Latin & Classics

51 Common Latin Phrases Used in English (That You Should Know)

Latin may be a “dead” language, but Latin phrases are still used all the time in modern English. How many of these common expressions do you know?

We all use basic Latin phrases even if we don’t realize it. I guarantee you have said “et cetera” or “vice versa” at least once in your life. And have you ever turned in a curriculum vitae (or C.V.) when applying for a job?

Some Latin expressions slip into English unobtrusively, while others – like mutatis mutandis and cum laude – look a little more foreign. In this post, I will introduce you to over fifty popular Latin phrases that you really should know.

If you don’t, no shame. It’s a chance to learn something new!

Common Latin Phrases Used in English

Are you ready? Here come over 40 awesome Latin words and phrases that appear in English on a regular basis! You don’t need to know any Latin in order to follow along, because I explain both the literal and the idiomatic meaning.

But here’s a quick note for anyone who is learning Latin: since I am focusing on the use of the phrases in English , I have not included macrons in the spelling of the Latin words.

1. A priori & a posteriori

Literal meaning: “from (what comes) first” and “from (what comes) after”

The expressions a priori and a posteriori are primarily used in philosophical or logical contexts. An a priori argument is based on self-evident principles and thus on “what comes first.” A priori arguments move from causes to effects.

An a posteriori argument, on the other hand, is constructed based on reviewing the evidence – that is, “what comes after”. A posteriori arguments move in the opposite direction, from effects or data to causes.

Literal meaning: “to this”

Ad hoc in English means “created for this specific purpose” or “impromptu”. So, if there is a flood in a school, the principal may call an ad hoc meeting to discuss how to respond.

We often hear about decisions made ad hoc, as well. An ad hoc decision is one that is made for the context at hand . You aren’t thinking about the broader significance, but rather of the specific application.

Hoc is a form of the Latin pronoun hic, haec, hoc which means “this” or “these”.

3. Ad hominem

Literal meaning: “to the man”

The most common usage of ad hominem today is to talk about an ad hominem argument. This is an argument that relates “to the man”, i.e. to the person you are arguing with . Instead of addressing the real topic of the debate or the person’s reasoning, you attack their character.

Thus ad hominem arguments are usually irrelevant or illogical. For instance, if you are debating ethics with your friend and you can’t refute their point, you might yell, “You don’t know anything about ethics! You cheated on your final exam in physics!”

4. Ad infinitum

Literal meaning: “to infinity”

If something continues ad infinitum, this means that it goes on forever , without end. If Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story spoke Latin, he would say, “Ad infīnītum et ultrā!” (To infinity and beyond!)

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Literal meaning: “to one’s pleasure”

“Ad lib” is short for ad libitum , which is a phrase meaning, loosely, “as much as you want.” According to Etymonline , it was originally a musical notation. In this context, it indicates that the musician could use their own judgment to decide how a piece should be played.

Over time, the phrase shifted to acquire its most well-known meaning: to do something without preparation. In English, we can use “ad lib” as a verb. For example, “I forgot to prepare for my oral exam so I had to ad lib everything!”

6. Ad nauseam

Literal meaning: “to nausea, to vomiting”

If you do something ad nauseam, this means that you do it to a nauseating degree. For example: “We have discussed your ingrown toenails ad nauseam. Let’s change the subject!”

My Latin students likely think that I talk about using flashcards ad nauseam. But hey, flashcards are a great way to learn vocabulary!

Literal meaning: “at another time, in other circumstances”

Alias is an adverb in Latin , but in English we most frequently use it as a noun. An alias is a fake name or assumed identity. For example, Superman is Clark Kent’s alias.

“Alias” can also be used as an adverb in English to indicate someone’s more familiar name. In this case, it is equivalent to the English “aka” or “also known as.” To return to our previous example, you could say, “Clark Kent, alias Superman, saved many people.”

Literal meaning: “elsewhere”

“Alibi” is a great example of a Latin word used so frequently in English that we don’t even recognize its foreign origin. In fact, alibī is a Latin adverb meaning ”elsewhere”.

This makes sense since in modern English, an alibi is evidence that can prove that you were elsewhere when a crime was committed. ”I can’t have stolen the diamond necklace, because I was somewhere else – I was at school during the robbery and my teacher will tell you so!”

(And yes, if you are wondering – alias and alibi are etymologically related.)

9. Alma mater

Literal meaning: “nurturing mother”

The Latin adjective alma means “nurturing” and often described fertility goddesses in ancient Rome. In the 1700s, people started referring to their university as their alma mater. It makes sense – your university is the mother who nourishes your intellectual growth!

10. Alter ego

Literal meaning: “another I”

The expression alter ego is used so frequently in English that people often don’t realize it is Latin. In fact, alter ego originally referred to a trusted friend. Aristotle, Cicero, and other ancient authors insist that a true friend is so close that they are another self.

Over time alter ego came to have an expanded meaning. Now an alter ego can refer to a person’s hidden identity, to a fictional character who is a double of the author, and more. Clark Kent and Superman, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde – the list goes on.

11. Anno Domini (A.D.)

Literal meaning: “in the year of the Lord”

In the modern world we divide time into two eras: an old era before the year of Jesus Christ’s birth (traditionally year 0) and a new era after. Traditionally, all the years after 0 were accompanied by the abbreviation A.D.

So we are currently in 2022 A.D. That is, we are in the 2022nd year since the birth of the Lord.

These days we often hear C.E. or Common Era instead of A.D. and anno Domini . But it is still good to know where the system came from!

12. Ante bellum

Literal meaning: ”before the war”

Today we most frequently see ante bellum written as one word, ”antebellum”, and used as an adjective. In the United States, you may hear about the Antebellum South – i.e., the American South before the Civil War.

The opposite of antebellum is postbellum or ”postwar”.

13 and 14. Ante meridiem (A.M.) & post meridiem (P.M.)

Literal meaning: “before noon” and “after noon”

A.M. and its opposite P.M. are everywhere in the modern world. Most people probably don’t realize, though, that these popular abbreviations are short for ante meridiem and post meridiem . These Latin phrases mean literally ”before noon” and ”after noon”.

15. Bona fide

Literal meaning: “in good faith”

In modern English, bona fide is usually an adjective meaning “genuine” or “authentic”. A bona fide genius is someone who is, literally, a genius (not just a relatively smart person who gets called a genius).

We also hear of bona fide offers, proposals, etc. Bona fide is occasionally an adverb; for example, “The merchant acted bona fide, but he still lost the goods.”

Literal meaning: “let him beware”

A caveat is a warning or stipulation. So, for example, I could say: “I highly recommend traveling to Italy, with the caveat that it may be quite hot in the summer.”

A frequent use of caveat is in the phrase caveat emptor , “let the buyer beware.” The idea is that you should be careful when you are making a purchase – you need to check the quality yourself, because the seller might not be honest.

17, 18, and 19. Cum laude, magna cum laude, & summa cum laude

Literal meaning: “with honor”, “with great honor”, and “with greatest honor”

Many universities award high-achieving students with Latin honors. If you graduate with a high grade point average (G.P.A.), then you will receive a bachelor’s degree cum laude , magna cum laude , or summa cum laude .

Different universities have different scales for Latin honors. At my undergraduate institution we had the following range:

• Cum laude : G.P.A. of 3.40 and above
• Magna cum laude : G.P.A. of 3.70 and above
• Summa cum laude : G.P.A. of 3.90 and above

20. Curriculum vitae

Literal meaning: “course of life”

Your curriculum vitae or C.V. documents your education, jobs, qualifications, and accomplishments. It is, in effect, a record of your life – so the original Latin meaning makes sense.

21. De facto

Literal meaning: “in fact”

De facto is used to describe a state of affairs that exists in reality , even if it is not legally sanctioned. Someone might be the de facto head of the government, even if they technically are only an advisor. Or a country might be in a de facto state of war, even if neither side is willing to recognize it.

22. Deus ex machina

Literal meaning: ”god from a machine”

A deus ex machina is a person or thing that appears suddenly in a literary work in order to solve an otherwise unsolvable problem. In ancient Greek plays , a god or goddess would often make an appearance at the end of a play in order to explain what should happen or what the characters ought to do.

In ancient Greece, the actor playing the divinity would be rolled onto the stage on a crane called a mechane . And this is what gave us the expression “god from the mechane ” or “god from a machine”.

23. Dramatis personae

Literal meaning: ”characters of the drama”

Have you ever read a play of Shakespeare, or any play script? Then you may have encountered the phrase dramatis personae . The English equivalent is ”cast of characters”.

The dramatis personae includes each character’s name along with a brief description of who they are.

Literal meaning: “therefore”

We have borrowed ergo straight from Latin and we use it in exactly the same way as the ancient Romans did: to mean “therefore”. Of course, saying “ergo” in English can make you sound kind of stuffy and pedantic.

25. Et cetera

Literal meaning: “and other things”

Et cetera is one of the most common Latin phrases used in English. Since it literally means “and other things”, we usually find it at the end of lists or long descriptions.

26. Habeas corpus

Literal meaning: “may you have the body”

A writ of habeas corpus is a court order that requires a jailer to bring a detained person before the court. Habeas corpus is meant to prevent false imprisonment; any detained person can petition for a writ of habeas corpus to be issued on their behalf.

According to Etymonline , the Latin phrase itself comes from a 14th-century law. The full law says something to the effect of “we command that you bring the body before us.”

If you are learning Latin, habeās is a good example of the present subjunctive of 2nd conjugation Latin verbs . Notice the – ea – vowel sequence; we also saw it in caveat earlier in this post.

27. In loco parentis

Literal meaning: “in the place of the parent”

The Latin phrase in loco parentis is used to refer to someone who has some of the responsibilities or functions of a parent. For instance, if a child is raised primarily by their grandmother, we might say that said grandmother acts in loco parentis .

28. In memoriam

Literal meaning: ”in memory”

This phrase is pretty self-explanatory. We dedicate books, movies, fellowships, etc. in memory of our deceased loved ones, and often we write in memoriam on the program or include it in the title.

29. In vitro

Literal meaning: “in a glass”

In vitro is used to describe a process that takes place in a test tube, Petri dish, or other environment outside of a living organism. The most well-known use is in the term “in vitro fertilization”, but scientists can carry out many kinds of experiments in vitro.

30. Ipso facto

Literal meaning: ”because of the deed itself, by the very act”

Ipso facto in English means ”inevitably” or ”necessarily”. If something is true ipso facto , then it is true by definition, without a doubt.

31. Magnum opus

Literal meaning: “great work”

A magnum opus is a creative masterpiece, whether of art, music, or writing. It often refers to an artist or author’s best and/or most famous work.

For instance, we could say that Leo Tolstoy’s magnum opus was the novel War and Peace .

32. Mea culpa

Literal meaning: “(through/by) my fault”

Mea culpa is a way of taking blame for something or saying you are sorry. The phrase comes from the Catholic Confiteor or prayer of confession, where the speaker admits that they have sinned through their own fault.

Nowadays there isn’t necessarily a religious element to mea culpa , and I have heard many people use this Latin phrase in a secular context. For example, one of my Latin students might say: “Mea culpa, I forgot to study my verb principal parts !”

33. Mutatis mutandis

Literal meaning: “with things having been changed that ought to be changed”, i.e. “with the necessary changes having been made”

I debated whether or not to include mutatis mutandis in this list of common Latin phrases, because it is a little rarer. But it shows up just enough in academic and legal contexts that it deserves a mention.

Typically, we use mutatis mutandis in order to recognize that a comparison is not perfect, but still has some validity. So, for instance, I could say, “The experience of traveling in Italy is, mutatis mutandis , quite similar to that of traveling in Spain.”

Or we can use mutatis mutandis to signal that something will work well once the necessary changed have been made. For example: “I think that we should move forward with the new contract, mutatis mutandis .”

34. Non sequitur

Literal meaning: “it does not follow”

Non sequitur is one of the most familiar Latin phrases still found in English today. Back in the 1500s, the term began to be used in logic to refer to a conclusion that did not follow from the premise.

Now the meaning has broadened. We can say any sort of statement is a non sequitur if it doesn’t relate to the rest of the conversation. Let’s say you are talking about reading Latin novellas and your friend suddenly says, “But I really like swimming with sea turtles!” That would be a non sequitur.

This phrase comes from the common Latin deponent verb sequor , which means “follow.” This is also where we get words like sequence and consecutive .

35. Nota bene

Literal meaning: “note well”

Nota bene , abbreviated to N.B. , appears frequently in academic articles, textbooks, etc. Authors use it to draw readers’ attention to something specifically important.

For example, if you were drafting an instruction manual to a microwave, you might write: “ Nota bene : do not put anything metal in the microwave!”

36 and 37. Per annum & per diem

Literal meanings: “per year” and “per day”

These two basic Latin phrases often pop up in English in the context of hours or pay. For instance, you may earn a certain amount per annum (per year). Or percentages may increase a certain amount per diem (per day).

A per diem can also refer to the allowance that an employer gives their employees per day when traveling. In this case, per diem is a noun.

Per is a common Latin preposition , so you will run into it often now that you are paying attention!

38. Per capita

Literal meaning: “per heads”

In a modern context, per capita means “per unit of population”. We can talk about deaths per capita, jobs per capita, income per capita, etc.

Literal meaning: “through itself”

Per se is another extremely common Latin phrase. The easiest way to translate it into idiomatic English would be “in and of itself” or “intrinsically”.

So, for example, I could say: “I don’t think a focus on grammar is bad per se, but it is often accompanied by old-fashioned and harmful teaching methods.”

40. Persona non grata

Literal meaning: “a not welcome person”

A persona non grata is one who, for whatever reason, is not welcome in a certain place. Example: ”Every since he insulted the emperor, Lucan has been persona non grata in all of the imperial circles.”

41. Pro bono

Literal meaning: “for the good”

This Latin phrase is mostly used in a legal context. Lawyers will do pro bono work – that is, they work for free, for the public good.

42. Quid pro quo

Literal meaning: “something for something”

A quid pro quo transaction is one in which each person contributes something in exchange for something else. Quid pro quo often receives a negative reputation: we think of bribery, underhanded deals, or even harassment.

But technically any trading or exchange can be classed as quid pro quo. If I cut my neighbor’s grass and they give me apple pie in return, then that is a quid pro quo transaction!

43. Requiem

Literal meaning: ”rest”

A requiem mass is a mass said for the souls of the dead. Requiem comes from a line in the mass for the dead: Dōnā eīs requiem ”grant them peace.”

Literal meaning: “thus”

In newspaper articles and other written contexts you will see [sic] inserted in the middle of quotes. Often people think this is an abbreviation, but nope – it’s just a Latin word meaning “thus” or “so.”

Writers use [sic] to indicate that their original source contained a grammatical error. The writer wants to represent the quote accurately, but wants readers to realize that they weren’t the one to make the mistake.

Example: “He wrote that ‘they’re [sic] song was beautiful.'” In this context, the reporter wants you to know that he – the original source – accidentally put they’re instead of the correct their . They’re was in THE ORIGINAL QUOTE, and was not a mistake that the reporter made.

45. Sine qua non

Literal meaning: “without which not”

A sine qua non is something that is absolutely essential. Here are a few examples:

• “Knowledge of Spanish is a sine qua non for an ambassador to Peru.”
• “Sun screen is a sine qua non on any beach vacation.”
• “ Finding a good Latin dictionary is a sine qua non for any Latin student.”

46. Status quo

Literal meaning: “state in which”

The status quo is the current state or condition that a person, company, country, etc. finds themselves in – in other words, the existing state of affairs. We often associate the status quo with stagnation or lack of progress, but it doesn’t have to be negative.

47. Sui generis

Literal meaning: “of its own kind” or “of its own class”

This Latin phrase, which is technically a genitive of description , indicates that something is unique or unparalleled. For example, if a book or movie does not fit into any specific category, we could say that it is sui generis .

48. Terra firma

Literal meaning: “firm or solid land”

“Terra firma” is a Latin expression that distinguishes dry land from the ocean and the air. After a long boat ride, for example, you might feel relieved to be back on terra firma.

49. Verbatim

Literal meaning: “according to (individual) words”

If you repeat something verbatim, this means that you repeat it in exactly the same words as it was originally said. ”Verbatim” comes from the Latin verbum ”word” plus the adverbial ending – ātim .

Literal meaning: “toward, turned in the direction of”

Versus is an a Latin adverb that ultimately derives from the Latin verb vertō “turn.” In modern English, “versus” is a preposition meaning “against” or “in comparison to.”

Here’s a quick example. If you want to start a new language but you aren’t sure which one, you might ask me about the pros and cons of learning Latin versus Spanish .

51. Vice versa

Literal meaning: “with the position having been changed”

Vice versa is such a common expression that it doesn’t really require explanation. Basically, if something is true vice versa, then it is also true the other way around .

So, for example, I could say, “He supports me and vice versa.” This means that not only does he support me, but the reverse is also true: I support him.

Should you italicize Latin phrases used in English?

It depends! Both the Chicago Manual of Style (7.53-55) and the MLA Handbook agree that less common Latin phrases should be italicized. So, for instance, you should put mutatis mutandis in italics.

But if a word or phrase has been anglicized and is now familiar enough that it seems like a part of English, you should not italicize. That’s why you usually won’t see expressions like vice versa, et cetera, and pro bono italicized.

There is definitely an element of subjectivity here. How do you decide, for instance, if a word is “familiar” to the average English speaker? The Chicago Manual of Style says that you should look it up in Merriam-Webster’s and if it is there, you don’t italicize.

Final Thoughts

So, how many of these popular Latin phrases used in English did you actually know? Some of them are a bit tough, but I’m sure you recognized at least a few. Let me know how you fared in the comments!

And, while you’re here – have you ever thought about learning Latin? Here are nine reasons why you absolutely should !

If you’ve been wanting to learn Latin but just don’t know how to get started, then check out my ultimate guide to Latin-learning resources . I list a combination of paid and free resources helpful for students of all levels.

YOU MAY ALSO LOVE:

How To Say Thank You in Latin

Names of the Months in Latin

Wishing Someone Happy Birthday in Latin

The Most Common Latin Verb

Getting Started With Latin Cases

Rebecca Deitsch (aka Livia) has a PhD in Classical Philology from Harvard University. She has taught Latin, Greek, and Classics courses to students of all ages at Harvard and beyond. After 20 years of learning and 10 years of teaching Latin, she made this website to share all her language expertise with you!

10 Comments

Just re-studying Latin, which was I enjoyed in high school many years ago. Enjoying your site. I am also interested in mythology, so I love that you are as well.

Hi Cassandra, I am so glad to hear you are enjoying my site! Mythology is so much fun, and hopefully you will be able to read myths in Latin soon 🙂

This is an interesting site. Thank you. Long ago I majored in Latin. In high school and college I was taught to decipher Latin, not really read it. (reading and deciphering are different mental processes) But in recent years, I have been teaching myself to read Latin. The resources of the internet, such as your site, have made this hobby of mine possible.

Hi Mike, I am so happy to hear that my site has been helpful! Yes, *reading* Latin is so different than deciphering it, but unfortunately – due to the way Latin is traditionally taught -many students never get past the deciphering. One of my goals is to encourage a more holistic and natural approach to reading Latin.

I really enjoyed this. I take latin right now as a high schooler and We review phrases like this.

I’m so glad you enjoyed the post! 🙂

Hi, Livia. The word CIRCA came up as a Wordle solution (yesterday, 4/28/23, so this is not a spoiler). That caused me to ponder whether “circa” is really an English word, as opposed to Latin. Some googling led me to your site. I posted an extract to an on-line Wordle group I participate in, with credit and a link to your site, of course. Thanks for your help.

I speak three Latin-based languages, French, Spanish, and Italian (some better than others), but I’ve never studied Latin. If you’re not already familiar with it, I’m sure you’d love the book “From Latin to Romance in Sound Charts”, by Peter Boyd-Bowman. It traces the rather regular changes that occurred in Vulgar Latin as it was transformed into French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese (as is often the case, poor Romanian got left out).

Hi Lawrence, thanks for stopping by! I am glad I was able to help with your question about “circa.” The Wordle is so much fun, as is the NYT mini crossword puzzle (which occasionally has Latin-related words as well!).

Ooh, thank you for the book recommendation. I have never read it and I will add it to my list. I speak Spanish fluently and I have basic knowledge of French and Italian, so I am always interested in Latin’s development into the modern Romance languages.

Do you have this list in PDF format for download? Hoping to use the phrases as a kind of weekly latin exordium for my reluctant 9th grade latin student.

Hi Mikael, unfortunately I don’t have the list in PDF format at the moment. But perhaps you could either bookmark the page or use the “print to PDF” function? I hope the phrases help increase your student’s enthusiasm for Latin!

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Latin Terms and Abbreviations

What this handout is about.

In your college career, you will encounter the abbreviations e.g. and i.e. E.g. is a Latin abbreviation that means “for example” and often appears before lists. I.e. is another Latin abbreviation that means “in other words,” “namely,” or “which is to say.” Use e.g. when introducing a non-exhaustive list of examples and i.e. when rephrasing the exact same idea in different words. The rest of this handout explains these and many other Latin abbreviations you might see, such as etc., N.B, cf., sic, versus, circa, et al., ibid. and id., and more.

About Latin terms and abbreviations

Despite the fact that Latin is no longer the international language of scholars, bits and pieces of it can still be found scattered around. Some of these bits are very common and are even seen in non-academic writing, while others are much more obscure.

Simply knowing what an abbreviation stands for and how to translate the underlying Latin words does not necessarily tell you how the abbreviation is used in actual modern practice. These little remnants of Latin have had a long and colorful life separated from their original language and context.

There are a few generally accepted rules that apply to most Latin abbreviations. The major style manuals (MLA, APA and Chicago) agree that Latin abbreviations should be kept out of the main body of a text-that is, they should not appear in ordinary sentences within ordinary paragraphs. Certain abbreviations may be used in parentheses within the body of a text (etc., e.g., i.e.), but the rest should appear only in footnotes, endnotes, tables, and other forms of documentation. One notable exception: APA style allows writers to use the abbreviation et al. when discussing works with multiple authors and v. in the titles of court cases.

Except for N.B., none of the abbreviations we’re about to discuss need to be italicized or capitalized.

Why should you bother learning about Latin abbreviations?

While it’s perfectly acceptable to use English phrases instead of Latin abbreviations, there’s a reason why these abbreviations have survived and continue to be used today: they contain a lot of meaning in a very small package. It takes less time and fewer characters to write e.g. than “for example.” As an added bonus, using Latin abbreviations correctly can make your writing sound more sophisticated and scholarly.

Even if you decide that you don’t want to use Latin abbreviations in your own writing, you’re still going to encounter them in other texts. Knowing what these abbreviations mean and how they are used is crucial to understanding and interpreting these works.

The big three: etc., i.e., and e.g.

The average person could go through life never having to worry about most Latin abbreviations, but there are three that have become so widespread that they’re impossible to avoid: etc., i.e. and e.g. These are also the most often misused Latin abbreviations. Let’s take a look at each of them, what they mean and how they can be used.

The abbreviation etc. stands for et cetera, which translates literally as “and others” or “and the rest.” A more useful translation that can be substituted for etc. (especially when reading aloud) is “and so on.” It is used at the end of a list to indicate that there are more elements to the list that are being left out so that the list doesn’t become too long. For example:

All of the objects in our solar system (planets, comets, etc.) orbit the sun.

Many other examples could be included in a list of objects in our solar system (like asteroids and moons), but it would take too much space and time to list them all. Also, listing them all wouldn’t add much to the sentence-readers don’t need to know the identity of every object orbiting the sun in order to understand the sentence.

In lists where you use etc., be sure all the listed items are of the same kind. If you wrote the following sentence, your readers might have a hard time telling what “etc.” is substituting for because some of the items listed are objects, while others are people or activities:

I’m very interested in astronomy—planets, stargazing, Carl Sagan, etc.

When etc. is used at the end of a list, it should be preceded by a comma just like the other elements of the list. It should never have the word “and” before it: the Latin word et has already got that covered.

e.g. and i.e.

These are the two most often misused and confused Latin abbreviations-and for good reason. In any given sentence, it’s often not immediately clear how i.e. and e.g. are different. Both appear inside parentheses and offer extra information that helps explain what’s come before. There is, however, a very important and useful difference between these two abbreviations.

The abbreviation e.g. stands for exempli gratia, which translates literally as “for the sake of an example”-but you can really just cut out the stuff in the middle and read it as “for example.” It is used to give an example or set of examples to help clarify the preceding idea. In general, if you use e.g., you should provide one or two short examples. More can be used, but only if they are simple and can be expressed in a single word or short phrase. It isn’t necessary to use etc. at the end of a list following e.g.; it’s understood that there are more examples than those that you’ve given. You should not list all of the possible examples.

The abbreviation i.e. stands for id est, which translates literally as “that is.” Sometimes it might be more useful, however, to translate it as “what that means is” or “that is to say.” This abbreviation is used to clarify the preceding idea by restating it more simply or in different terms. Strictly speaking, what follows i.e. in parentheses should be equivalent to what comes before-you should be able to switch them without changing the meaning of the sentence. If this involves making a list, you should include all of the elements that make up that list. It might be useful to think of i.e. as representing an equal sign (=). This will help you remember that i.e. stands for a strict equivalence.

Let’s look at some examples of how to use i.e. and e.g. correctly:

YES: The rocky planets (e.g., Mercury) are closest to our sun.

NO: The rocky planets (i.e., Mercury) are closest to our sun.

Mercury is not equivalent to the rocky planets-they’re not the same thing. Mercury is just one example of a rocky planet, therefore e.g. is appropriate.

YES: The rocky planets (i.e., Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars) are closest to our sun.

YES: Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars (i.e., the rocky planets) are closest to our sun.

NO: The rocky planets (e.g., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars) are closest to our sun.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are all of the examples of rocky planets in our solar system (they are a full and complete list, not just a few examples), so e.g. should not be used. Instead, use i.e. to show that the list of four planets is equivalent to the rocky planets-they refer to the same thing. Notice that switching the rocky planets and Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars doesn’t change the meaning of the sentence.

In some instances, i.e. and e.g. may both be acceptable, but using one or the other will drastically change the meaning of the sentence. For example:

Farmer Brown sells his produce (e.g., apples, oranges, carrots) at the market.

Farmer Brown sells his produce (i.e., apples, oranges, carrots) at the market.

In the first sentence, the use of e.g. tells the reader that Farmer Brown sells many different types of produce, including apples oranges and carrots. The information contained in the parentheses provides a few examples to help clarify the meaning of produce. In the second sentence, the use of i.e. tells the reader that Farmer Brown sells only apples, oranges and carrots -nothing else. The information contained in the parentheses tells the reader that, as far as Farmer Brown is concerned, apples, oranges and carrots are what constitute produce-they are equivalent.

Other useful abbreviations

While etc., e.g. and i.e. are perhaps the most important Latin abbreviations for you to get acquainted with, there are other less common abbreviations that you may find useful in certain situations.

The abbreviation N.B. stands for nota bene, which literally translates as “note well,” although in practice you can read it as “pay attention.” It is used in endnotes or footnotes to call the reader’s attention to a particularly important piece of information-such as a key assumption of or exception to an argument-that is nevertheless not crucial enough to be included in the main body of the paper. Also, notice that N.B. is the only Latin abbreviation that should be capitalized.

Example: N.B.: While all of the study participants were interviewed about their prior medical histories, researchers did not have access to their medical records to confirm the accuracy of self-reported data.

The abbreviation cf. stands for the Latin word confer which means “compare.” It is primarily used in endnotes or footnotes to point readers to works that the author recommends referencing in comparison with the work at hand. Therefore, it might be more useful to read cf. as “but compare this to.” It is generally preceded by citations of works that are sources for the author’s argument and then followed by one or two examples of works that somehow differ from or depart from the argument. Although it is not strictly necessary to explain how these works are different, you might find it useful to include a short phrase for the benefit of your reader.

Example: 2. Jones 1992, Smith 2003; cf. on methodology Harris 2005.

Although it is not an abbreviation, sic is included here because it is one of the more frequently used Latin terms. The word sic means “thus” or “so” and is used in quotations to indicate that any strange aspects of a piece of text, such as errors in of grammar, spelling, or word choice, are part of the original text and not a typo. Therefore, it could be more appropriately translated as “yes, that’s actually what it says.” Depending on the style you’re using, sic is italicized and placed in brackets after the word or phrase it identifies (as in APA and Chicago), or it is simply placed in parentheses after the entire quote (as in MLA). Consult the most recent edition of the appropriate style handbook to ensure that you’re using the proper format.

versus (vs. or v.)

You have probably seen the term versus or one of its abbreviation, vs. or v., in the names of court cases (for example, “Smith v. the State of North Carolina”). Versus translates as “against” or “as opposed to.” Versus is used to express conflict or comparison. You may see it in the main body of academic texts, in phrases such as “man versus nature,” “measured in kilograms versus pounds,” or “protectionism versus free trade.” Versus and its abbreviations also appear frequently in the titles of books and articles.

Circa, which translates as “around” or “approximately,” usually appears with dates. You may see it abbreviated as c. or ca. (or, more rarely, as cca. or cir.). It indicates that a number or value is approximate, not exact. For example, you might see sentences like “the construction of Stonehenge began circa 3000 BCE.” More rarely, you may see circa in reference to measurements of amounts, such as “circa $45,000” or “c. 1.5 mL.” Your meaning will often be clearer to readers if you stick with English in the main body of your text and save “c.” for things in parentheses and notes. So, for example, you might write “the construction of Stonehenge began around 3000 BCE” or “when Stonehenge began to be constructed (c. 3000 BCE).”

Citation shortcuts

The abbreviations in this section are used primarily in notes and bibliographic entries in order to save space. It is important to understand these abbreviations not only so that you can correctly interpret bibliographic citations, but also so that your citations can be accessible to your readers.

The Latin abbreviation et al. stands for et alii which translates as “and other people.” It is like etc., but it is used only for people. You will generally see et al. used in bibliographical entries for books, articles, or other publications that have several authors (usually four or more) in order to save space. In such cases, the name of the first author will be given in full and then followed by et al. As with etc., there is no need to include ‘and’ before et al., but do notice that unlike etc. there is a space (and no period) after et in this abbreviation.

ibid. and id.

The abbreviation ibid. stands for the Latin word ibidem, which means “in the same place.” It is used in endnotes or footnotes when you cite the same source and page number(s) two or more times. If you cite the same source but a different page number, you can use ibid. followed by a comma and the page number(s). Also, note that ibid. is capitalized when it begins a note. For example:

• 1. Barsby, 99-101.
• 3. Ibid., 97.

Although it is becoming less common, you may encounter the abbreviation id. used in a way similar to ibid. The abbreviation id. stands for idem, which means “the same person.” It is used in place of ibid. when the same author is cited but not the same page number. In such instances, ibid. is only used to repeat the preceding citation exactly. For example:

• 3. Id., 97.

Like sic, passim is not an abbreviation, but it is included here as a Latin term commonly used to save space in bibliographic entries. The Latin word passim means “here and there” or “throughout.” It is used when a particular word, phrase or idea is not restricted to just a few pages of a work, but occurs in many different places. Using passim is not a way to avoid providing specific citations—instead, it indicates to the reader that the information being cited occurs frequently in the work and that they may want to use the table of contents or index to find specific examples.

Abbreviation obscurity

While you may occasionally encounter the following abbreviations in your academic career, they are becoming increasingly rare. There is no need for you to attempt to incorporate them into your own writing. Instead, use short English phrases; it will be easier for you to write and for your reader to understand!

loc. cit. and op. cit.

The abbreviations loc. cit. and op. cit. are old forms used in bibliographic citations similar to ibid. and id. above. The abbreviation loc. cit. stands for loco citato, which translates as “in the place cited,” whereas op. cit. stands for opere citato which translates as “in the work cited.” Generally, loc. cit. is used to refer to the same work and page number(s) as the previous citation, while op. cit. refers only to the same work and may or may not be followed by page numbers. In all modern style manuals, ibid. is preferred to loc. cit. and op. cit.

inf. and sup.

The abbreviations inf. and sup. stand for the words infra and supra, which translate as “below” and “above” respectively. They are used to indicate that information will be more fully explained or cited elsewhere. If the information has already appeared in an earlier note, sup. is used. If the information will appear in a later note (where a more complete citation or explanation is perhaps more appropriate), inf. is used. In general, you can replace both of these abbreviations with “see below” and “see above” without any change in meaning.

viz. and sc.

The abbreviation viz. stands for the Latin contraction videlicet which translates literally as “it is permitted to see,” but a more useful translation is “namely” or “that is to say.” It is used to clarify something by elaborating on it, giving a detailed description of it, or providing a complete list. In this sense, viz. is similar to i.e., although viz. tends to emphasize the precision and exactness of what follows and is thus a stronger version of i.e. It is generally acceptable to use i.e. instead of viz.

The similar abbreviation sc. stands for the Latin contraction scilicet which translates literally as “it is permitted to know,” but a more useful translation is “namely” or “as if to say.” It is often used to provide a clarification, remove an ambiguity, or supply an omitted word. Like viz., sc. is a more specific version of i.e. and stresses the clarity of what follows. As with viz., it is generally acceptable to use i.e. rather than sc.

The abbreviation q.v. stands for quod vide, which translates literally as “which see,” although in practice it means something more like “for which see elsewhere.” It is used in notes after a word or phrase to indicate that more information can be found about the topic somewhere else in the current work. Because q.v. is generally used in reference books or similar works, page numbers are not included after it. The reader is expected to know how to locate this information without further assistance. Since there is always the possibility that the reader won’t be able to find the information cited by q.v., it’s better to use a simple English phrase such as “for more on this topic, see pages 72-3” or “a detailed definition appears on page 16.” Such phrases are immediately comprehensible to the reader (who may not even know what q.v. means) and remove any ambiguity about where additional information is located.

The abbreviation s.v. stands for sub verbo, which translates as “under the word.” It is used when citing a specific entry in a dictionary or encyclopedia. The word or phrase following the abbreviation should correspond exactly to the heading in the dictionary or encyclopedia so that the reader can find the precise entry being indicated. Since s.v. is no longer recognizable to most modern readers, it is better to use a simple English phrase such as “see the Oxford English Dictionary; look under grape” or something similar.

We hope that this handout will be useful to you as you decipher the Latin terms and abbreviations in your reading and perhaps begin to use them in your own writing!

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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21 Latin Phrases Every Writer Should Know

• Persona Non Grata “An unwelcome person” (lately defined, by some, as a literary agent).
• Habeas Corpus “You have the body” (the legal right to appear before a judge).
• Cogito Ergo Sum “I think, therefore I am.” For a writer it would be “Scribo ergo sum.”
• Deus Ex Machina “God from the Machine.” In a novel it basically means the author has written something too convenient to explain events, a plot device to solve the unsolvable problem.
• E Pluribus Unum “Out of many, one.” Would you dare use this phrase to describe a book: “Many words, one book”?
• Carpe Diem “Seize the day,” incorrectly used to describe a particular species of fish. Should not, if swapping the “a” and the “r,” be used to describe the nature of your day.
• Quid Pro Quo “This for that” or, in other words, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
• Non Sequitur “It does not follow,” a conclusion that is not connected to the statements leading up to it. For example, “Trees are made of wood. My pencil is made of wood. It’s time to finish typing my book.”
• Ad Hominem “To the man.” During an argument or discussion, one party attacks their opponent’s reputation or expertise, rather than sticking to the issue at hand. A daily practice on social media.
• Alter Ego Literally, “other self.” Incorrectly misspelled and then used to describe certain preachers.
• Soli Deo Gloria “Glory to God alone,” a motto of the Reformation. Johann Sebastian Bach would sign his compositions with the initials S.D.G.
• Caveat Emptor “Let the buyer beware” (before you use the “Buy Now” feature on any online site).
• Pro Bono “Done without charge,” incorrectly used by fans of U2.
• Memento Mori “Remember your mortality” (also the name of an album by the band Flyleaf).
• Caveat Lector “Let the reader beware” (be nice to your reading audience!).
• Sui Generis “Of its own kind” or “unique,” a key principle in copyright or intellectual property law.
• Alma Mater Literally, “Nourishing mother.” More often used when referring to the school you attended. But what if you went to Alma School?
• Veni, vidi, vici “I came, I saw, I conquered,” a message supposedly sent by Julius Caesar to the Roman Senate to describe a battle in 47 BC. For the writer? “Veni, vidi, scripsi” (I came, I saw, I wrote).
• Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam “For the Greater Glory of God.” See 1 Corinthians 10:31. Johann Sebastian Bach also used the initials A.M.D.G.
• Mea Culpa “By my fault,” or, in common language today, “My bad.”
• Per Diem “Per day.” A business may give an employee a set amount of money they can spend each day while taking a trip on behalf of the company. Also known as “I can only afford a bowl of hot water and some ketchup when I travel.”

About Steve Laube

Steve Laube, president and founder of The Steve Laube Agency, a veteran of the bookselling industry with 40 years of experience. View all posts by Steve Laube →

Reader Interactions

February 11, 2022 at 5:55 am

I don’t usually read my emails before I have my quiet time in the morning, but my husband is away and I have to make my own cup of hot tea today. Thanks for the humor to to start the day while I wait on my tea to steep!

February 11, 2022 at 6:48 am

These are so fun, especially with the added levity. You taught me some new ones (and new interpretations of some I already knew). I had heard about Bach signing with S.D.G. but didn’t know about A.M.D.G. Very interesting. Thanks for the nice start to Friday.

February 11, 2022 at 7:00 am

So interesting, Steve! Thank you for sharing!

February 11, 2022 at 8:01 am

This is a keeper. I created a Word document so I can reference these.

February 11, 2022 at 8:10 am

I needed the refresher course, Steve. Thanks!

February 11, 2022 at 8:21 am

I’d never seen “Sui Generis” before. Thanks.

February 11, 2022 at 8:24 am

You hooked me with the picture of the puppy! This was so good and humorous!! A nice read this morning.

February 11, 2022 at 12:14 pm

Felix canis!

February 11, 2022 at 9:15 am

These are great! Can’t believe how often “Ad Hominem” shows up … actually, it’s become the norm for a lawyer defending someone accused of rape. Blah!

February 11, 2022 at 9:22 am

These were terrific! Thanks for posting!

February 11, 2022 at 10:16 am

I took Latin in middle school, and I still love the language. There’s one you left off the list: James Scott Bell’s admonition to be diligent in our work. “Carpe Typem.” (Seize the typewriter.)

February 11, 2022 at 10:17 am

So many of these phrases have become part of our everyday writing life, depending on the type of story you’re writing. Thank you for the list. It’s good to keep in mind what each of them mean so we can use them properly.

February 11, 2022 at 10:41 am

Don’t forget D.V. (Deo volente)!“God willing,” as in, “Everyone in our writing group plans to publish, D.V.”

Or, as my church history prof said, “it’s the Latin equivalent of, ‘Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.’” 🙂

February 11, 2022 at 12:07 pm

As a prior student of Latin, I knew most of these phrases, but I enjoyed reading them with your humorous perspective. Thanks!

February 11, 2022 at 12:09 pm

I forgot one:

Carpe Crustum!

The best way to start a special day… (you have to look it up…)

February 11, 2022 at 5:02 pm

Lol, we do carpe crustum for birthdays, but I always feel sick for the rest of the morning. So I might stick to my boring, usual, morning fare. Thanks for the suggestion anyway! 🙂

February 11, 2022 at 12:19 pm

Steve….you and your excellent crew always amaze me. It’s great hearing from a Literary Agency staffed by people with both feet on the floor. Bill McBride, “The ROOT of all EVIL”

February 11, 2022 at 3:00 pm

Superb information! Thanks! You are more highbrow than I suspected.

February 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm

Thank ouyay orfay ouryay oughtsthay. Iyay amyay ayay uetray intellectualyay .

February 13, 2022 at 5:55 am

In my case, the phrase is, “Mea maxima culpa” (“my most grievous fault”). BTW, “Memento Mori” is also the name of the gift shop next to The Haunted Mansion at Walt Disney World.

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Latin Phrases in English

Many Latin phrases are still used in English, though generally more in written English than in spoken English. This page lists some of the more common phrases from Latin, with meanings, comments and contextual examples. Although you may not need to use Latin phrases yourself, it's useful to recognise them when you come across them.

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24 Latin Phrases You Use Every Day (And What They Mean)

Many English speakers may not realize how often English words are actually taken, verbatim, from both ancient and modern languages. Latin, in particular, has been extremely influential not only on the romance languages, such as French, Spanish, and Italian, but also on today’s English. It may come as a surprise to learn that English speakers use common Latin phrases every day, most recognizably in the sciences.

Below are 24 of the most common Latin phrases we use in the English language.

1. Ad hoc: To this

In Latin, ad hoc literally means to this , which has been adapted by English speakers as a saying that denotes that something is created or done for a particular purpose, as necessary. Usually, one does something on an ad hoc basis (e.g., she answered questions on an ad hoc basis).

2. Alibi: Elsewhere

The word alibi is a Latin phrase that simply means elsewhere , which will make sense to all you crime drama addicts out there who are familiar with the term as used by police, investigators, and other law enforcement professionals. Nowadays, alibi commonly refers to evidence that someone did not commit a (usually) criminal act because he or she was elsewhere at the time the act was committed.

3. Bona fide: With good faith

Another common Latin phrase, bona fide literally means with good faith . The meaning has changed somewhat in English usage to mean something that is real or genuine (e.g., she was a bona fide expert in the social structures of humpback whales).

4. Bonus: Good

Bonus, from the Latin adjective bonus, which means good , refers to any number of good things in its current English usage. Most often, bonus refers to an extra sum of money or reward from one’s employer for good performance, which of course is always a good thing.

5. Carpe diem: Seize the day

A common phrase with motivational speakers and go-getters, carpe diem is a Latin phrase that means seize the day, made popular by the Roman poet Horace. It is usually used to motivate others to make the most of the present and stop worrying about the future.

6. De Facto: In fact

De facto is a Latin phrase that, literally translated, means of fact . Nowadays, it is used to highlight something that is simply a fact or someone who holds a position, with or without the right to do so (e.g., she was the de facto leader of the book club).

7. E.g.: For example

Commonly confused with the similar Latin term i.e., e.g. stands for the Latin phrase exempli gratia , meaning for the sake of example . In English, it is used to introduce a list of examples in place of the phrase such as .

A popular term in psychology, ego in fact began as the Latin equivalent of the first person pronoun, I , which makes sense when considering its modern meaning, which refers to an individual’s sense of self-worth or self-esteem.

9. Ergo: Therefore

Ergo , an adverb meaning therefore , is one Latin phrase that has maintained its meaning exactly in English usage.

10. Et cetera: And so on

Used at the end of a list to indicate that further items could be included, et cetera (or etc.) literally translates to and the rest .

11. Extra: In addition to

A common English adjective and prefix, extra is a Latin preposition that means outside or in addition . In English, extra is an adjective, adverb, or prefix that means additional , in addition , or to a greater extent .

12. I.e.: That is

Sometimes mistaken for the similar abbreviation e.g. , i.e. stands for the Latin phrase id est , which literally translates to that is . It is most often used to add information that states something in different words or to give a more specific example: Most of the puppies (i.e., four of the six) found homes over the weekend.

13. Impromptu: Spontaneous

From the Latin phrase in promptu , meaning in readiness , impromptu is a common English adjective or adverb that describes something spontaneous (e.g., she threw an impromptu birthday party for her best friend).

14. Intro: Within

Originally the first-person present indicative form of the Latin verb intro , meaning to enter , intro in English usage has become a prefix or informal noun that describes the beginning of something (i.e., an introduction).

15. Multi: Many

Multi is the plural form of the Latin adjective multus , meaning many . In English, it is used as a prefix to describe something that contains more than one of something else (e.g., multicolored, multifaceted, multicultural, etc.).

16. Per se: In itself

Meaning by , of , for , or in itself in Latin, per se is a common phrase used to emphasize the importance or connection of something (e.g., it was not the book per se that was important, but the message the author tried to get across).

17. Pro bono (publico): For the good (of the public)

Pro bono indicates that something is being done without payment or reimbursement. The phrase is often applied when lawyers provide legal services for little or no money, though its use is not exclusive to the legal profession.

18. Quid pro quo: Something for something

A contrasting philosophy to pro bono is quid pro quo . It is an “eye-for-an-eye” type of saying that is used in English to signify a favor or advantage given in return for something of equal value. A popular saying with vindictive villains, quid pro quo literally means something for something .

19. Re: About

You probably use this Latin preposition every day without really understanding its meaning. Re simply means about , and in modern times, we see it used most often in responses to emails and in other correspondence to refer to an earlier topic of discussion.

20. Semi: Half

A prefix borrowed from Latin, semi translates to half . When used in English, it indicates that something is incomplete or partially finished (e.g., semidetached, semiautomatic, semi-final, etc.).

21. Status quo: Existing state of affairs

This straight-up Latin phrase literally translates to the state in which and is used in English to describe an existing state of affairs, usually related to political or social issues.

22. Verbatim: In exactly the same words

Derived from the Latin verbum , which simply means word , verbatim refers to repeating something word-for-word from the original.

23. Versus: Against

This common Latin phrase was originally a preposition meaning against or toward . In English, versus is used to signify opposing forces or oppositions and contrasts.

24. Vice versa: The other way around

Vice versa is a Latin phrase that literally means in a turned position . In English, it is commonly used to indicate that two things are interchangeable.

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Common Latin Phrases Used in Everyday English

Have you ever looked at a dollar bill and wondered what the phrase “E pluribus unum” means? Or if you know what this phrase means, did you know that this is Latin? E pluribus unum translates to “one from many.” Conceptually, this has become a de facto (another Latin phrase) motto for the United States, which emerged as one nation from thirteen colonies.

Latin is considered a dead language because no community uses it as a native language. However, Latin is a historical language now referred to as a classical language. It is still used today in the Church and in literature. Latin words are also commonly used in the courtroom. Romance languages derive directly from Latin. English is a Germanic language. However, many English words come from Latin roots. There are also many Latin terms used directly in English today.

Here are some common Latin phrases used in everyday English:

• ad hoc – formed for a particular purpose
• ad lib – improvised
• alter ego – other self
• bona fide – real, genuine
• carpe diem – seize the day
• caveat – a stipulation or condition
• consensus – agreement
• de facto – in reality
• de jure – by law
• ergo – therefore
• et cetera (etc) – and so on
• excelsior – ever upward
• major – great
• mea culpa – through my own fault
• per capita – per person
• per diem – per day
• per se – specifically, by itself
• status quo – the state in which, existing state of affairs
• verbatim – in exactly the same words
• vice versa – the other way around  

How many of these common Latin phrases do you use in your everyday speech? 

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Latin Phrases List for Writers

Free download: 2-page latin phrases list for writers.

Over the years, I’ve compiled a list of Latin words and phrases that writers might find useful in their articles, blog posts and books.

Latin sayings can add flair to your writing and this list can be printed and 3-hole punched or the 2 pages can be placed back-to-back in a clear sheet protector.

The graphic above shows just a small portion of the 2 pages of 73 Latin words, sayings and phrases on the free list you can download right here and print out for your own use.

Click here for your free PDF list of Latin phrases

Here’s the whole list of Latin words, phrases and sayings:

a cappella – in church (vocal music only)

adeste fideles – come, faithful people

ad hoc – for a particular purpose (only)

ad infinitum – to infinity (without end)

ad nauseum – to a sickening degree

alma mater – fostering mother (a school or university you attended or from which you graduated)

a mari usque ad mare – from sea to sea (motto of Canada)

annus horribilis – a horrible year

ante – before

antebellum – before the war

a posteriori – from the latter

a priori – from the former

arcana – secrets (mysterious knowledge known only to initiates)

ars gratia artis – art for art’s sake

ave atque vale – hail and farewell

beatae memoriae – of blessed memory

bene – good

bis in die – twice a day

bona fide – (adjective) in good faith, well-intentioned, fairly

bona fides – (noun) honest intention

bona fortuna – good luck!

bovina sancta – holy cow!

carpe diem – seize the day

caveat emptor – let the buyer beware (i.e. – take the risk)

cave canem – beware of the dog

cogito, ergo sum – I think, therefore I am

commune bonum – the common good

corpus christi – the body of Christ

crux – puzzle

cum laude – with praise

de facto – something that is automatically accepted

de novo – anew

Dei Gratia – by the grace of God

Deus vobiscum – God be with you

dramatis personae – characters of the play

ecce homo – behold the man

emeritus – honorary, by merit

eo ipso – by that very act

e pluribus unum – out of many, one

ergo – therefore

errata – a list of errors

et cetera – and the rest (etcetera, etc.)

ex cathedra – from the chair (of authority)

ex libris – from the library (of)

ex tempore – off the cuff, without preparation

fiat lux – let there be light

finis – the end

Gloria in excelsis Deo – Glory to God in the highest

habeas corpus – you must have the body (you must justify an imprisonment)

hic et nunc – here and now

in absentia – in one’s absence

in extremis – in extreme circumstances (e.g. – at point of death)

in loco parentis – in the place of a parent

in perpetuum -forever

in toto – totally, entirely

modus operandi – a way of operating

omnia vincit amor – love conquers all

post mortem – after death

post partum – after childbirth

pro bono publico – for the public good

quater in die (Q.I.D.) – take 4 times a day

qui bono? – who benefits?

quid pro quo – something for something

quo vadis? – where are you going?

regina – queen

rex – king

rigor mortis – the rigidity of death

tabula rasa -a clean slate

tempus fugit – time flees (more common: time flies)

terra firma – solid ground

And let’s not forget…

“Illegitimi Non Carborundum” – fake Latin for “Don’t let the bastards grind you down.”

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