A hot word today may be obsolete tomorrow. Stay up to date with newest words, freshest slang, and other latest trends in language.
Featured
English Words That Came From The Philippines
Many words from Tagalog and other languages from the Philippines have found their way into English. How many have you encountered in your vocabulary.
Explore these words here.
Should We Use BCE Instead Of BC?
If you have wondered why we have two systems to attribute years—AD/BC and CE/BCE—you aren’t alone. Which system of dating is more appropriate to use now?
Find out the facts here.
Is That Food Really “Porn” (And Should You Even Say That)?
So many things excite us—from food to luxurious homes—that we call them «porn.» Is it suitable to label everything this way?
Take a closer look.
By
Last updated:
February 9, 2022
15 Information Technology Vocabulary Words Every English Student Should Know
They say we live in “The Information Age.”
All this information moves around thanks to information technology (IT).
IT also happens to be a powerful force in the business world, and it affects all of our lives.
So, what’s new in the world of IT?
Plenty, for sure. There’s always something happening in IT!
Have you heard how IT helped athletes win Olympic gold in Rio 2016?
Do you know the four basic things you should do to protect your computer from hackers?
Yes, there’s lots going on in the world of IT that we should know about, simply because IT is all around us and we’re using it every day.
But before we can understand it, we must master the language of IT.
IT is a specialized field that has a language of its own. It’s still English, but many IT vocabulary words have meanings different from what we’re familiar with.
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
How Information Technology Vocabulary Can Help You in Business and Daily Life
Take a look around you.
IT is all about using computers and other technology to manage information. It’s everywhere, including in our hands, offices and homes. There’s no escape from IT nowadays. Because we use it so often in business and daily life, it’s not only useful, but necessary, to know the language of IT.
After all, IT is advancing (moving forward and growing) so fast that we have no choice but to keep up with new developments. So here again, knowing the vocabulary of information technology helps us stay informed.
Do you know of any business that doesn’t use computers? No? Well, this just shows you how much businesses depend on IT these days. Large businesses have entire departments of employees focused on managing IT. There are even entire IT companies!
So, it makes sense that you’ll need IT language not only in your current job but also in your future career.
Okay, let’s get on with the list of IT words I have for you today.
You may have already heard your company’s technical support team or your computer repairman using these words. Don’t worry, pretty soon, you too will be confident using them for daily and business communication.
Let’s get started.
The English words on this list have many meanings. In this post, I’ll only be explaining them in the IT context.
1. Monitor
The noun monitor refers to the video screen used to display information on your computer.
Sample sentence: I work on the computer most of the day. I find that using a bigger monitor reduces (lessens) the strain on my eyes.
To monitor can also be used as a verb to describe the action of keeping watch over a technical fault or process running on a computer.
Sample sentence: The technical support team will monitor my computer over a period of time to see what’s causing this problem.
2. Connect
The verb to connect is used to describe the action of establishing (making) communication with the Internet or with another device (computer equipment) such as a monitor, modem, etc.
Sample sentence: Can you please show me how to connect my laptop to the central printer?
The noun connection refers to the communication between two or more computer devices, or a link to the Internet.
Sample sentence: According to Techspot, Speedtest has released a report of the speed of Internet connections across the US.
3. Install
The verb to install means to set up or make a computer or application (software program) ready for use.
Sample sentence: On my first day of work, my supervisor sent the technical support team to install a new computer for me.
So then, the noun installation refers to the act of installing a computer or application.
Sample sentence: Infoworld has the complete guide to Windows 10 installation that will answer any questions you might have.
4. Network
Did you know that your computer at work is probably linked to the office network?
The noun network refers to a system of connected computers and other devices such as printers that exchange data with each other. A private office network is known as intranet.
Sample sentence: Before we open for business, I need to get my office computer network set up and tested.
Networked, the adjective form of this word, is used to describe this kind of environment (situation).
Sample sentence: In a networked system, a problem on one computer could affect all the other computers on the network.
5. Boot
The verb to boot has a special meaning in IT. It’s often used in the phrasal verb to boot up, which means to turn on a computer and have it ready for use. You could also say “start up” or “power up.”
Sample sentence: There seems to be a problem with my laptop. It wouldn’t boot up this morning.
Boot up is a separable phrasal verb that you can use with a pronoun. You can use “start up” and “power up” in the same way, they’re both separable. This means that you can take the preposition “up” and use it later in the sentence. It does not have to follow directly after “boot.”
Sample sentence: There seems to be a problem with my laptop. I couldn’t boot it up this morning.
Adding the prefix “re” gives the word reboot. The suffix “re” is often used to mean doing something again. The verb to reboot means to start your computer again.
Sample sentence: If you’re still getting errors on your computer, you might want to reboot it.
Reboot can also be used as a noun.
Sample sentence: If you’re still getting errors on your computer, a reboot might help.
6. Access
The verb to access, when used in IT, means entering and using a computer, website or application.
Sample sentence: This is a shared computer only for the use of our department. You can get the password from me if you need to access it.
The noun access refers to the act of accessing the computer. It’s commonly used with the verb “grant” to mean give permission to use.
Sample sentence: I’m afraid we can’t grant anyone access to our department’s computers.
7. Log in
Some websites and applications need you to log in before you can enter and use them. To log in refers to the process where you enter certain information before you’re allowed to access a website or application.
Sample sentence: I’ve forgotten my password so I can’t log in to Gmail anymore.
The opposite of log in is log out which is what you should do to exit a site or application.
Sample sentence: Don’t forget to log out before you leave especially if you’re using a shared computer.
Sometimes the terms sign in and sign out are also used.
8. Download
To download is a verb you’ll often hear in IT to talk about transferring data or information from a main computer source to another device.
Sample sentence: I need to download the photos of my business trip to my computer for today’s presentation.
The noun download refers to the information or application that has been downloaded.
Sample sentence: I found a download on Computer Weekly for the most popular technology articles in 2016 for IT leaders.
9. Upgrade
It’s not unusual to hear this word in a fast-changing field like IT. The verb to upgrade means to bring your computer (or other device) up to date with the latest hardware or software.
Sample sentence: Our management is confident that our business will improve if we upgrade to the latest computer equipment.
The noun upgrade simply means an update to a higher (newer) version. You might’ve heard the common phrase “get an upgrade.”
Sample sentence: According to Infoworld, IT managers have been waiting for the upgrade to Windows 10.
10. Analyze
The verb to analyze is used quite often in IT when there’s a need to study data, information or even a technical problem closely. For instance, you might analyze product trends or a problem with your communications network.
Sample sentence: This is not a problem with a simple solution. We need time to analyze why your laptop won’t boot up.
The noun form analysis refers to the act of, and the result of analyzing the data or problem.
Sample sentence: According to the technical support team’s analysis, you’re better off buying a new laptop than trying to repair this one.
11. Browse
The verb to browse is used in IT to look over information casually without being too detailed.
Sample sentence: Before you come to the meeting, please browse online to get some ideas of the current trends in office furniture.
The noun browser, as you may already know, refers to the program on your computer that allows you to open and use websites on the Internet.
Sample sentence: If your browser doesn’t work, try closing and reopening it.
12. File
The noun file in IT refers to a collection of data or information organized under a specific name and stored in a computer’s folder.
Sample sentence: Please save each year’s sales data in a different file for easy reference.
File is also commonly used to talk about things related to a file such as filename, file size, etc.
Sample sentence: What’s the filename you used to save last year’s sales data?
13. Blog
Do you have a blog? The noun blog refers to a website where you write about your personal experiences, opinions and interests.
Sample sentence: Our company’s blog offers a lot of useful information and tips on how to use our products in different ways.
The verb to blog simply means to write a blog.
Sample sentence: Since everyone in our department is too busy to blog for the company, management has hired a few part-timers to do the job.
14. Back up
The phrasal verb back up is often used in IT to mean making a copy of data and files to protect them against accidental loss.
Sample sentence: It’s always a good idea to back up your computer regularly.
Back up is a separable phrasal verb that can be used with a pronoun.
Sample sentence: My laptop has been switching itself on and off. I think I’d better back it up after work tonight.
Backup, when spelled as one word, is a noun referring to the copy of files and data that you’ve made to keep.
Sample sentence: The system administrator does a full backup of the system every weekend.
15. Perform
In IT, we’re often concerned about how the computer system performs. The verb to perform refers to how fast a computer can process information.
Sample sentence: Are you sure that my computer will perform better if I upgrade my RAM (computer memory)?
The noun performance is used to talk about the speed and capacity (workload) of the computer..
Sample sentence: Upgrade your RAM (computer memory) and you won’t find any reason to complain about your computer’s performance
So there you have it. With this information technology vocabulary in hand, you’re ready to speak confidently and keep up with the latest developments in IT.
Remember, practice makes perfect.
Log into your office computer and start learning!
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Trend Watch is a data-driven report on words people are looking up at much higher search rates than normal. While most trends can be traced back to the news or popular culture, our focus is on the lookup data rather than the events themselves.
‘Arraign’ Spikes from Donald Trump
The 45th President of the United States was arraigned in a Manhattan court
‘Sanctimonious’: Trump Mocks DeSantis.
Biden: Putin risking ‘Armageddon’
‘Queen consort’
‘Espionage’ spikes from Unsealed Warrant
‘Magnetometer’ Spikes from Jan. 6th Testimony
‘Roe v. Wade’:
Google: A.I. Not ‘Sentient’
Can a computer have consciousness?
‘Defamation’: Johnny Depp-Amber Heard Trial
Jury find Johnny Depp was defamed
Dems: ‘Codify’ Roe v. Wade
Draft Supreme Court decision would overturn Roe v. Wade
Trump «Held in Contempt»
Trump was found to be in contempt of court
Bruce Willis: ‘Aphasia’ Diagnosis
Bruce Willis is retiring from acting
‘Endurance’ Found
Shackleton’s vessel found
Biden: We’ll Seize ‘Ill-Begotten’ Gains
Biden warns Russian oligarchs
Biden: ‘Tranche’ of Sanctions
Biden announces Russia sanctions
Convoy Organizer: Write ‘Non Assumpsit’ on Paperwork
Canadian truckers drive lookups
MTG: Pelosi’s ‘Gazpacho’ Police
Taylor Greene on soup and secret police
WaPo: Trump’s ‘Infrangible’ Shredding Practices
WaPo on Trump’s penchant for shredding
Arrest for ‘Seditious’ Conspiracy
Arrests made for 1/6 attack
‘Sardoodledom’ Rises Again
Scripps Bee clip goes viral
Facebook: ‘We’re Meta’
Facebook announces new name
Biden: Vaccine ‘Mandates’
Biden rolls out vaccination effort
Cuomo Resigns: ‘Excelsior!’
Cuomo resigns
Cleveland Baseball Team: We’re ‘Guardians’
Cleveland finds new team name
Bezos Spaceflight Reaches ‘Apogee’
Bezos in space
- 1
- 2
- 3
page 1 of 35
Word of the Day
lackadaisical
See Definitions and Examples »
Get Word of the Day daily email!
Test Your Vocabulary
What Did You Just Call Me?
-
- Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
-
Insulting
Complimentary
You know what it looks like… but what is it called?
TAKE THE QUIZ
Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?
PLAY
/ Vocabulary / 25 TRENDING Words to UP Your Vocabulary
25 TRENDING Words to UP Your Vocabulary
Well, if you’re wondering why you sit at the cafeteria nodding to every comment everyone’s making, but not being able to talk about «fascism» or «sexism» because you didn’t know what he or she means, you’re in just the right place. Here I will take you through all the words that have been trending and are must-knows since grandfathers to Anne alike.
Here you go:
- FASCISM: Benito Mussolini was the father of Fascism. He’s not alone it in though, he has Adolf Hitler as a fitting partner. So if you have guessed it by now, fascism means holding the state you live in to the highest value where every individual has to comply with the law. But it isn’t this innocent. Every state needs its citizens to obey laws. But in a fascist state, you’re «allowed» if I daresay to use violence in doing so. A Fascist autocrat imposes strict social and economic rules that strip citizen’s rights and give more power to the government.
- SOCIALISM: A system where the production, distribution, and exchange means are determined by the central government, not by competition or who serves the state how much.
- FEMINISM: Simply put, it is the notion that men and women should have equal rights and given equal chance in doing anything is feminism.
- RACISM: It is the prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one’s own race is superior. It is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics, abilities, or qualities specific to that race, so if one is different from that race, he is inferior or superior.
- SEXISM: It is the stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. This implies that members of one sex are less intelligent, able, skillful, etc. than the members of the other sex.
- LOVE: That’s an easy one, and of course you don’t need me to define love for you, but it is what makes you feel affectionate towards someone.
- ALBEIT: Though. As simple as that.
Read More: Vocabulary: A Complete Guide to Improve your Word Memory
- PRAGMATIC: Being practical, not theoretical. Not saying that you want to jump off a cliff that is 30 feet high just because you can’t take workload anymore is not being pragmatic.
- ETHICS: Your morals. Your ethics tell you if you are right or wrong.
- CULTURE: You must have used the word quite a lot of times, but what exactly is culture. It is the ideas, norms, and behavior of the people or society. It is the way of living, eating, behaving etc.
- HYPOCRITE: Someone who says they have particular moral beliefs but behaves in a way that shows these are not sincere. So if you judge others for going to the bar, but right after Sunday Church you hit the club yourself, we know who’s a hypocrite.
- COMMUNICATION: Of course, we do this every day and it needs no telling. It is exchanging information.
- MAGNIFY: Has a regal touch to it, this word. It can mean two things: to make something appear larger or to glorify.
- DEMOCRACY: A system of electing government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Democracy is when people in your workplace vote for Friendly Florence and not Moody Mason.
- PEDANTIC: Excessively concerned with minor details or rules.
- BIGOT: A person who can’t tolerate others viewing things differently. Now that’s an impatient person.
- COGNITIVE: This has an almost psychology, science-y feeling to it. It relates to or involves the processes of thinking and reasoning. E.g. «cognitive skill»
- DICTIONARY: Of course talking about all these words, you should not forget where to get these from. Makes sense.
- PARADIGM: A typical example of a thing.» Society’s paradigm for how wives should be».
- IRONY: Meaning exactly the opposite of what is implied, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. That’s when you say you love work but sleep at work desks.
- METAPHOR: A figure of speech in which a word or phrase isn’t used literally. A building touching the sky? It’s a metaphor don’t believe it.
- PRETENTIOUS: Attempting to impress by others by showing to have more than what one actually has. This is what we generally call being showy.
- DISPOSITION: Character. Yes, THAT simple is the meaning.
- INTEGRITY: Honesty and other strong moral principles. The trustworthiness of a person is his integrity.
- HOLISTIC: Characterized by the belief that the parts of something relatively make up the whole.
And a bonus: Diversity. Diversity is when Sue with blonde hair, Anne with gridlocks, Maya with hearing issues and Noor of a Muslim religion all are a part of your class and are accepted.
So, off you go sharing your not-so-secret but effective vocabulary list!
You should start using the following 10 trending and new English words in 2022 where necessary.
10 trending English words of 2022 with meaning
By India Today Web Desk: Every year, new English words are being added to the Oxford Dictonary based on popular culture, social and political issues, and innovations in technology from around the world. And, with time, we need to advance our vocabulary too.
So, here we bring you 10 trending and new English words that made it to the dictionary in 2022!
1. FINFLUENCER
Meaning: A specific type of influencer who focuses on money-related topics.
Example: ‘How are TikTok finfluencers shaping the future of investing?’
2. NOMOPHOBIA
Meaning: Fear or worry at the idea of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use it.
Example: ‘Many people suffering from nomophobia never switch off their mobile phones.’
3. SHARENT
Meaning: A parent who regularly uses social media to communicate a lot of detailed information about their child.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Share’ and ‘Parent’.
Example: ‘If you take that eager excitement of potty-training your kids and talk about it online, you are now a sharent.‘
4. FITSPIRATION
Meaning: A person or thing that serves as motivation for someone to sustain or improve health and fitness.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Fitness’ and ‘Inspiration’.
Example: ‘The YouTube videos of this model are the perfect fitspiration for anyone wanting to tone up their bodies!’
5. STAN
Meaning: An overzealous or obsessive fan of a particular celebrity.
This word is made up of two words — ‘Stalker’ and ‘Fan’.
Example: ‘Y’all know I stan for Katy Perry, so I was excited to see the artwork for her upcoming album.’
6. AWESOMESAUCE
Meaning: Extremely good; excellent.
Example: ‘Ritesh had an awesomesauce experience in Dubai.’
7. LOW-KEY
Meaning: Used as an adjective to describe something that you might not want others to explicitly know.
Example: ‘I am low-key happy that the class was cancelled.’
8. SITUATIONSHIP
Meaning: When a relationship can be described as more than friends but less than a couple.
A situationship is a romantic relationship that’s undefined or uncommitted. It may be based on convenience or short-term circumstances.
Example: ‘I’m trying to turn our situationship into something more serious.’
9. METAVERSE
Meaning: A virtual reality space in which users can interact with a computer-generated environment and other users.
Essentially, it offers the chance for you to ‘live’ within a digital universe. You’ll be able to play, learn, shop, game and more, all from the comfort of your own home.
Example: ‘I spent a few hours hanging out with friends in the metaverse on Sunday’.
10: HANGRY
Meaning: Bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.
Example: ‘I was hangry yesterday when Dominoes was closed.’
Published On:
Jul 6, 2022