Lexicology Metalanguage for VCE English Language: Top 50 Lexicology Terms

If you’re in Units 1 to 4 of VCE English Language, mastering Lexicology Metalanguage is essential. The examiners expect you to use accurate terminology, integrate it into analysis, and link each feature to the text’s context, audience, purpose and social function.

This guide breaks down the Top 50 Lexicology terms you must know, with clear definitions, high-detail examples, and VCE-style analysis. It also includes practical advice for Section A, the Analytical Commentary, and Section C essays, plus links to free English Language resources at the end.

What Is Lexicology

In VCE English Language terminology, lexicology refers to the study of the words in a language: their meaning, origin, formation, and relationships to one another.

You analyse lexicology to understand:

• how speakers/writers construct meaning

• how identity and group membership are expressed

• how values, attitudes, and beliefs are encoded in lexical choices

• How register and context shape vocabulary selection

This subsystem connects closely with morphology, semantics, and discourse. It appears in nearly every VCE task: SAQs, analytical commentaries, and essays.

Why Lexicology Metalanguage Matters for VCE

Markers consistently expect students to:

• Identify the lexical choices

• Classify the type of lexis used

• Explain how that choice constructs meaning or identity

• Link it back to context or social purpose

Accurate Lexicology Metalanguage instantly elevates your writing. It shows depth, precision, and control – qualities that separate mid-range responses from A-range responses.

Top 50 Lexicology Terms (With Examples + Detailed VCE Analysis)

Below are the 50 most important Lexicology Metalanguage terms for the VCE English Language course.

Each definition includes a short example and a brief explanation of its effect.

1. Neologism

Definition: A newly coined word or expression.
Example: “finsta” (fake Instagram), “almond mum”
Effect: Demonstrates linguistic innovation, often signalling generational identity. In youth sociolects, neologisms create covert prestige and unity within online communities.

2. Blend

Definition: A word formed by merging parts of two words.
Example: “bromance”, “smog”
Effect: Creates efficient, playful meaning. Contemporary blends reflect cultural trends and values.

3. Compounding

Definition: Joining two free morphemes to form a new lexeme.
Example: “laptop stand”, “climate crisis”
Effect: Adds specificity and conceptual clarity; used frequently in political or environmental discourse.

4. Acronym

Definition: A word formed from initials and pronounced as a word.
Example: ANZAC, NASA
Effect: Builds institutional identity and shared cultural knowledge.

5. Initialism

Definition: Letters said individually.
Example: RBA, LGBTIQ+
Effect: Projects authority; often appears in government or medical texts to reinforce expertise.

6. Shortening / Truncation

Definition: Reducing a word.
Example: “arvo”, “servo”, “brekky”
Effect: Highly characteristic of Australian English, forging solidarity and informality.

7. Borrowing

Definition: Adopting words from other languages.
Example: “tsunami” (Japanese), “emoji” (Japanese), “barramundi” (First Nations language)
Effect: Signals multiculturalism and respect for linguistic diversity; emphasises Australia’s multilingual heritage.

8. Commonisation

Definition: Proper nouns becoming common nouns.
Example: “esky”, “hoover”
Effect: Demonstrates how brands integrate into daily language.

9. Semantic Shift

Definition: A change in meaning over time.
Example: “mouse” (animal → computer device)
Effect: Reflects technological and cultural change.

10. Broadening

Definition: Word expands in meaning.
Example: “cookie” (originally: baked biscuit → data file)
Effect: Shows the influence of digital culture.

11. Narrowing

Definition: Word becomes more specific.
Example: “meat” (originally: food → flesh)
Effect: Shows specialisation of meaning.

12. Elevation

Definition: Meaning becomes more positive.
Example: “sick” (slang: impressive)
Effect: Common in youth slang to express covert prestige.

13. Pejoration

Definition: Meaning becomes more negative.
Example: “Karen”
Effect: Creates social judgement and stereotypes; a strong marker of cultural attitudes.

14. Etymology

Definition: The origin/history of a word.
Example: “kangaroo” from Guugu Yimithirr
Effect: Useful for demonstrating cultural heritage and language contact.

15. Jargon

Definition: Specialised vocabulary used by a professional or interest group.
Example: medical lexemes like “tachycardia”
Effect: Builds overt prestige and authority; can also exclude outsiders.

16. Slang

Definition: Highly informal, in-group language.
Example: “lit”, “low-key”, “no cap”
Effect: Builds intimacy and covert prestige among peers.

17. Colloquialism

Definition: Informal, everyday language.
Example: “gonna”, “mate”
Effect: Reduces social distance and creates rapport.

18. Dysphemism

Definition: A deliberately harsh or offensive expression.
Example: “pig out”
Effect: Displays strong attitudes; can express humour or aggression.

19. Euphemism

Definition: A mild/softened expression.
Example: “passed away”
Effect: Protects face needs; maintains politeness.

20. Taboo Lexis

Definition: Strongly prohibited or offensive words.
Example: Swear words
Effect: Used to display emotional intensity, solidarity, or rebellion depending on context.

Remaining Top 50 Lexicology Terms (Concise but High Detail)

21. Diminutive

Adding endings like –ie or –o (servo). Indexes Australian informality and solidarity.

22. Affixation

Adding prefixes or suffixes (unhappy). Increases grammatical versatility and subtlety.

23. Prefix

Added to the beginning (mis-). Modifies meaning efficiently.

24. Suffix

Added to the end (–ness). Forms new word classes.

25. Infix

Inserted within a word (abso-bloody-lutely). Adds emphasis or humour.

26. Conversion

Changing word class without adding affixes (to email). Reflects functional flexibility.

27. Collocation

Words commonly appearing together (strong tea). Creates predictable, natural phrasing.

28. Idiom

Fixed figurative expression (spill the beans). Creates vivid, informal conversational tone.

29. Denotation

Literal meaning. Ensures precise communication.

30. Connotation

Associated meanings. Reveals evaluative stance and attitude.

31. Semantic field

Group of related words (food, sport). Creates coherence and topic focus.

32. Hyponym

Subcategory term (poodle of dog). Increases lexical precision.

33. Hypernym

Category label (animal). Useful for broad, inclusive reference.

34. Synonym

Similar meaning words (happy/glad). Avoids repetition and shifts nuance.

35. Antonym

Opposites (legal/illegal). Supports contrast and antithesis.

36. Homonym

Same form, different meaning (bat). Can create ambiguity or humour.

37. Homophone

Same sound, different spelling (knight/night). Affects clarity in spoken texts.

38. Homograph

Same spelling, different pronunciation (lead). Influences phonological interpretation.

39. Archaism

Old-fashioned word (thou). Creates formality or traditional tone.

40. Lexical ambiguity

Unclear meaning (bank). Can be humorous or confusing depending on context.

41. Amelioration

Word gains positive meaning (sick meaning ‘excellent’). Shows semantic shift in youth discourse.

42. Metaphor

Implicit comparison (time is money). Creates imagery and expressive tone.

43. Simile

Comparison using like/as. Adds vivid description and softens assertion.

44. Personification

Giving human traits (the wind screamed). Adds drama and emotional colour.

45. Lexical choice

Intentional selection of words. Core to register and tone construction.

46. Nominalisation

Turning verbs/adjectives into nouns (implementation). Increases formality and abstraction.

47. Intensifier

Strengthening adverbs (very, extremely). Conveys strong stance or emotion.

48. Evaluative language

Positive or negative adjectives (brilliant, terrible). Reveals attitude.

49. Pejorative language

Derogatory terms. Constructs a negative identity or attitude.

50. Metonymy

Using something associated to represent something (the Crown). Adds authority and prestige.

Each of these terms can be expanded into full examples + VCE analysis upon request.

How to Use Lexicology in the Exam

Section A (Short-Answer Questions)

Lexicology helps you identify how a writer’s lexical choices shape register, such as whether formal, informal or technical vocabulary supports the text’s purpose. You use it to explain how specific words build identity, such as youth slang signalling intimacy or jargon signalling expertise. You also discuss how lexis directly connects to the social purpose, whether that’s to inform, persuade, reassure, or build rapport.

Always follow the formula: identify the feature → give the example → explain its effect → link to context.

Section B (Analytical Commentary)

In an Analytical Commentary, lexicology is essential for explaining how the register is constructed, for example, colloquialisms creating informality or jargon signalling authority. Lexical choices help reveal the writer or speaker’s attitudes, such as evaluative lexis showing approval or disapproval. You also examine how lexis contributes to cohesion, including repetition, lexical fields, collocations and pronoun references.

Strong Analytical Commentary typically includes 2–4 well-explained lexicology insights that directly support your discussion of purpose and context.

Section C (Essay)

In the essay, lexicology allows you to explain how vocabulary constructs identity, such as youth slang signalling covert prestige or ethnolectal terms expressing cultural belonging. Lexis also reveals broader social attitudes, with inclusive language promoting equality and discriminatory language reinforcing stereotypes. You can also use lexicology to discuss language change, showing how semantic shift, borrowing and neologisms reflect Australia’s evolving culture.

Use contemporary Australian examples to support your argument, paired with accurate VCE English Language terminology.

Common Mistakes Students Must Avoid

Using incorrect word classes: Students often mislabel adjectives as nouns or adverbs as verbs. Examiners expect precise identification because mislabelling weakens the credibility of your analysis.

Confusing morphology with lexicology: Morphology refers to word formation (morphemes), while lexicology refers to vocabulary choices and meaning. Mixing these reduces clarity and shows a misunderstanding of subsystems.

Naming terms without analysing effect: Listing metalanguage without explaining the purpose or impact (e.g., “there is slang”) scores poorly. Examiners want explicit links to context, function and social purpose.

Overusing jargon without linking to context: Student responses sometimes mention jargon but fail to explain how it constructs expertise, authority or exclusion. Every example must be connected to what the text is trying to achieve.

Calling everything ‘slang’: Not all informal words are slang. Overusing the label shows weak control of Lexicology Metalanguage. Distinguish between colloquialisms, idioms, contractions and actual slang terms.

Markers reward precision and contextual explanation, not just naming features.

Conclusion

Mastering Lexicology Metalanguage is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your performance in VCE English Language. When you can confidently identify, define and analyse the Top 50 Lexicology terms, you not only improve the precision of your commentary writing but also deepen your understanding of how words construct meaning, identity and attitudes. Strong lexical analysis consistently separates mid-range responses from high-scoring work, especially when your examples are tied directly to context, function and purpose.

Whether you are preparing for SACs, the GAT, or the end-of-year exam, building a solid foundation in VCE English Language terminology gives you a clear advantage. If you’d like structured revision materials, sample analyses, or metalanguage sheets, you can access a full set of free English Language resources to strengthen your study and help you feel confident for every assessment.