Dictionary
Shakespearean Words
A practical word list for Shakespearean-style writing, reading, and translation examples.
Word table
| Word | Meaning | Part of speech | Pronunciation note | Historical context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thou | you | pronoun | thow | Subject form for singular familiar you. |
| thee | you | pronoun | thee | Object form for singular familiar you. |
| thy | your | pronoun | thigh | Possessive before consonant sounds. |
| thine | yours | pronoun | thine | Possessive before vowels or standalone. |
| art | are | verb | art | Used with thou. |
| hast | have | verb | hast | Second-person singular have. |
| dost | do | verb | dust | Second-person singular do. |
| wherefore | why | adverb | WHERE-for | Asks reason, not location. |
| prithee | please | phrase | PRITH-ee | Contraction of I pray thee. |
| forsooth | indeed | adverb | for-SOOTH | Correct spelling; often comic or emphatic. |
How to use this word list
Start with meaning and context before copying a historical word into a sentence. Older English words often shift by case, number, tense, register, or rhetorical setting.
Use the related translator page for draft sentences, then return to the table to check whether the vocabulary choice fits the period.
Internal study path
- Use the translator page for a draft.
- Check individual word meanings in the dictionary or word page.
- Read the grammar page before treating a sentence as historically reliable.
FAQ
Can one historical word always replace one modern word?
No. Historical vocabulary depends on grammar, context, and period. Treat the table as a guide, not a one-to-one replacement engine.
Why include pronunciation notes?
They help learners recognize the word and discuss it aloud, but they are simplified notes rather than full phonological reconstructions.