25 Essential English IT Terms You Need to Know at Work
If your job involves computers, software, or working with an international team, you will run into English IT vocabulary every day, in emails, in meetings, and in documentation. Some of these words look technical but are actually simple once explained, and a few are informal slang you will only hear spoken out loud. Here is a practical list organised by category, with plain definitions and an example sentence for each.
Hardware, Software, and Files
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Applet | A small program that runs inside another application to add a feature that isn’t built in. |
| Cookies | Small files a website saves in your browser so it remembers you (your login, your language, your cart) the next time you visit. |
| Delete | To remove a file, message, or piece of data permanently (or move it to trash first). |
| Backup | A saved copy of your files kept somewhere safe in case the original is lost or damaged. |
| Patch / update | A small piece of software released to fix bugs or security issues in an existing program. |
The Internet and the Cloud
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Cloud computing | Storing data and running programs on remote servers (“the cloud”) instead of on your own computer. |
| Hot spot | A location where wireless internet is available for customers or staff to connect to. |
| SEO | Search Engine Optimization: improving a website so it ranks higher in search results. |
| SEM | Search Engine Marketing: paying for ads to appear in search results, as opposed to ranking organically. |
| UI / UX | User Interface / User Experience: how a website or app looks and how easy it is to use. |
| Bandwidth | The amount of data a connection can carry, which affects how fast pages and files load. |
Meetings, Messaging, and Collaboration
Since so much IT work now happens in remote or hybrid teams, you will also need vocabulary for video calls and shared documents. If your role involves regular video meetings, it’s worth practising this set specifically.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| To join a call | To connect to a video or voice meeting, usually by clicking a link. |
| To share your screen | To show what’s on your computer display to the other people on the call. |
| To go on mute | To turn off your microphone so others cannot hear you. |
| Multitasking | Working on more than one task, project, or program at the same time. |
Office Slang You’ll Hear Spoken (Not Written)
A few IT-adjacent expressions are informal slang, useful to recognise in conversation even though you probably won’t see them in a manual.
Down time: lost production time when a machine, system, or person is temporarily unable to work.
Eye candy: visuals on a website or app designed to look attractive, sometimes at the cost of loading speed.
How to Actually Learn These Terms
Reading a list is a good start, but vocabulary sticks when you use it. Try writing one email a week that uses three or four of these terms naturally, or explain a piece of software to a colleague using only English. If you work with an international team in business meetings, you will hear most of this vocabulary in context within the first few calls, which is the fastest way to make it automatic.
For a broader vocabulary base beyond IT specifically, our guide to improving your business English vocabulary covers the wider skill set, and our Business English course is built around exactly this kind of workplace-specific language, including a full IT and tech module.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between SEO and SEM?
Is “cached out” a technical term or slang?
What does “cloud computing” actually mean in simple terms?
How can I practise using IT vocabulary in real conversation?
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