loanwords

noun

UK /ˈləʊnwɜːdz/

US /ˈloʊnwɝːdz/

Words that a language borrows from another language.

English has many loanwords from French, like 'ballet' and 'restaurant'.

SYNONYMS

borrowed words borrowings adopted words imported words foreign words

RELATED WORDS

language vocabulary borrowing etymology linguistics

OTHER MEANINGS

2. Words taken into one language from another and used without translation.

'Sushi' and 'karaoke' are Japanese loanwords used in English.

3. Terms adopted from a donor language that often keep their original spelling or sound.

The loanwords 'pizza' and 'spaghetti' came into English from Italian.

4. Borrowed vocabulary that may change in pronunciation or meaning over time.

Many loanwords shift in meaning once speakers of the new language use them daily.