Semantic Shift: When Words change their meaning over time

Written By : Fhaliq Enriya Zubahda

Semantic Shift??? What Is It?

Semantic shift is the fascinating linguistic phenomenon where a word's meaning gradually changes over time. A word can drift far from its original sense due to cultural changes, technological developments, social slang, or metaphorical use.

For example,  the word "nice" once meant "foolish" or "ignorant" in the 1300s. Today it means "pleasant" or “kind”. This changes shows how language grows and evolves along with society.

Semantic shift can take centuries, but also it can happen quickly in slang–like "sick" going from "ill" to "awesome." This is what makes English dynamic and unpredictable.

5 Awesome Examples of Semantic Shift

1. Awful

   "Full of awe" (amazing/powerful) → "Extremely bad"

   From epic to yikes!

2. Pretty

   "Sly/crafty" (shady) → "Attractive/cute"

   Villain to sweetheart!

3. Cool

   Low temperature → "Awesome"

   Chill to fire!

4. Starve

   "To die" → "To feel very hungry"

   Death to snack attack!

5. Let

   "To hinder/stop" → "To allow/permit"

   total opposite! 🤯

   
   

Fun facts: "Cool" as "awesome" started in 1940s jazz clubs

How Semantic Shift Happen?

Semantic shift occurs through several key processes as language adapts to society:

• Metaphorical Extension

Words move from literal meanings to figurative ones.

• Social Attitude Changes

Meanings can become more positive or more negative.

• Loss or Irony of Context

Old meanings fade and new ones take over.

• Frequent Use and Exaggeration

Extreme words weaken over time

• Cultural Influence

Slang, literature, and technology spread new senses rapidly through society.

Have English Words Totally Forgotten Their Roots??

Not really… Semantic shift doesn’t erase their original meanings, it remixes them. Over time, culture, technology, and slang reshape how words are used. Old meanings fade, and new ones take over naturally.

Now you've learned about Semantic Shift, do you know any others?

SOURCES

Harris, Timothy M. "Semantic Shift in the English Language." Scribd. Accessed   https://www.scribd.com/document/636128631/229486322.

Richard Nordquist . “What Is Semantic Change in English Grammar?” .ThoughtCo. Accessed https://www.thoughtco.com/semantic-change-words-1692078

Journals

Lutfiah, Yuni, Evina Septiani, dan Aidil Syah Putra. “A Study Of Semantic Shift (Slang) In Language English”. 2024. Variable Research Journal 1 (02): 784-789. https://variablejournal.my.id/index.php/VRJ/article/view/114.

Hocine, Nadjet. “Semantic Change:  Causes, Forms, and Scope.” Akofena 1, no. 14 (2024). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.48734/akofena.n014.vol.1.08.2024.

Noble, B. 2021. "Semantic Shift in Social Networks." ACL Anthology.