Class 9/10 - English Vocabulary - Ten Foreign Words Used in English You must Know

Ten Foreign Words Used in English 

You must Know

English language has adopted a many foreign words from other languages. Here is a list of ten such words of foreign words that are used most frequently.

addendum (origin: Latin)

Part of Speech: Noun

Meaning: An additional chapter or section added to a document after printing or publishing.

Example: The latest edition of Class 9 Maths NCERT book includes an addendum on mathematical models.


adios (origin: Spanish)

Part of Speech: interjection

Meaning: ‘See you tomorrow’, a Spanish farewell.

Example: It’s almost 11 pm, time to go home. Adios, my friends.




bona fide (origin: Latin)

Part of Speech: adjective

Meaning: in a good faith, authentic

Example:  Prabhas Raju, a soft-spoken actor in Chathrapati, is now a bonafide hero in Bahubali.


corrigendum (origin: Latin)

Part of Speech: noun

meaning: A printer’s/publisher’s error that should be corrected.

Example: After release of my new book, I’ve published the list of corrigenda on my blog for the readers.


eureka (origin: Greek)

Part of Speech: interjection

meaning: I’ve found it. A joy when someone discovers a new thing.  (Based on a story about famous Greek Inventor Archimedes)

example: It was a eureka moment when I solved the quiz in the final inter-state competition.


hakuna matata (origin: Swahili)

Part of Speech: phrase

meaning: There are no worries.

example: Be happy! Don’t worry too much about tomorrow interview. Hakuna Matata.



karma (origin: Sanskrit)

Part of Speech: noun

meaning: your present actions based on good or bad deeds of the past.

example: Let me earn good karma by helping these poor families.
                Kindness creates good karma.



mala fide (origin: Latin)

Part of Speech: adjective

meaning: in bad faith

example: The magistrate sentenced him for three years for his malafide practices.


modus operandi 
(origin: Latin)
Part of Speech: noun

meaning: method of operation (mostly used in legal criminal cases)

example: Some thieves are so attached to their modus operandi, it becomes easy for the police to nab them.


per se 
(origin: Latin)

Part of Speech: adjective

meaning: as such

example: He is not atheist per se, he doesn’t like religious pageantry or gimmicks.