Loading... The most abused words of the English language.

Hip: Baby boomers don't understand what this word means.

Ironic: Generation X doesn't understand what this word means.

Viral: Generation Y doesn't understand what this word means.

Awesome, sucks, and "really": Boomers, X's, and Y's don't understand what all three of these words mean.

I'm sorry: Overused term thanks to our stupid "customer service economy" where we're taught to be mindless robots reciting the motto the "customer is always right."

Not to sound like a complete pessimist, but I think "Love" is WAY overused.

"I LOVE that purse..."

"I LOVE to drink coffee in the morning..."

"I LOVE going to the movies..."

When people use the word in instances like that, it cheapens the real meaning of the word, so when you actually DO love something, the word doesn't seem adequate. So, I would "LOVE" it if people would use this word appropriately ;)

I hear the word "like" used so often and inappropriately, I'm led to believe this would be in the top 50 abused words.

"Ironic" - people frequently refer to something as ironic, when in fact there is no irony involved at all.

over the last 10 years I have noticed that a lot of people especially younger are putting the word 'basically' at the start of any sentence or statement they say & after a while it can get quite annoying.

Not sure about the most abused words of the English language, but I can surely say without hesitation, the most OVER-used word these days is: AMAZING.

My Mom actually pointed this out to me a few months back. Turned out to be true (at least in my neck of the woods!)

Janet

Personally, I think the most abused word is "awesome." It's totally lost it's meaning.

guys MTV will give you the perfect answer. The word you are searching for is f**k

"Gay" would have to be a top here...

"Like" and "Ironic"... I heard a good 5 or 6 people in my school today say something was Ironic when it was really the farthest thing from. Somewhat disappointed in my peers.

I realize this is a statement, not a word, but, "I love you." Abused by being used when it shouldn't be, and never used when it should be.

And...

The "F word" ... somehow it has developed more meanings than any other expletive. Some people even manage to stuff it in the same sentence 5 times .... only using 8 words total. I am unsure of how that works.

Abused, and over-used and over-worked, the words "I" and "me".

Viral and Epic are overused and overrated...hmm put overated on the list too. xD

"like" is abused so much in the english language!!!!

One thing that is most confusing is why does BAD mean good when a teenager says it but means exactly what it sounds like when the judge says it?

The most abused word in the english language would have to be "gay". What started out as meaning happy, and described friendly nice people has turned into one of the biggest insults that can be thrown around. ... keep reading →

I think "recession" is the most abused word.. grrh... everything and anything that is happening today in the world is linked to recession. Really sick and tired of this term and this phase.. when will this last

The most abused word is "I'm sorry" for what??? Just because I dropped my bag on your foot. I though I was supposed to be telling you that. I think sometimes people are so used pretending to be polite, just about anything comes out even though they don't mean it!

I Love you- I am not even sure people knoe what that really means.

I have often heard the word "G.." in TV shows, schools , professionals, lay men, .gardeners, vegetables sellers, etc, in fact daily.

Frankly it is the most abused words of the English language. The "G" that is mention have nothing to do with their failures, with their mistakes, with their carelessness..why blame HIM?

Some insurance firms even stated in their agreement forms.for accidents, natural catastrophes as an "act of G.."

College students were asked to nominate words for the Most Abused category in 2008 - 1000s of nominations flooded the contest HQ. This political cartoon contains many of the top pick all at once; however, I have my own list... keep reading →

Sorry. That is the most abused and misused word in the English language in my opinion. As a teacher I must hear this word about a million times a day. Here are some examples. Sorry I am late. No you're not or you would have planned better and... keep reading →