English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Etymology — The origins of English words

Where do words come from? Trace the origin and history of any English word, from its Latin, Greek or Old English roots through to its modern meaning. Every etymology is sourced.

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From Latin recolligere, "to gather again," from re- ("again") and colligere ("to collect, gather"). Formed the same way as "recollection."

From "due" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly," so literally "in a due manner."

From Middle English mouchen ("to skulk about, pretend poverty"), ultimately from an Old French word meaning "to hide or lurk" — the idea of sneaking about for a handout.

From Old French laborios, from Latin laboriosus, built on labor, "work."

From comedy plus the adjective suffix -ic.

From Latin stipulari, "to demand a formal promise" — the root of a legal contract.

From Old English wella, genitive plural of well (“spring”), in reference to a residence near a group of springs. The original use of the genitive case here would've indicated origin. The -s ending of the modern form would be added later on upon reanalysis after the breakdown of the case system (outside of pronouns) that occurred in the development of English.

Formed from "croon" plus the agent suffix "-er," meaning one who croons.

Built from soft plus the informal suffix -y.

From Old French menace, from Late Latin minācia ("threat"), from Latin mināx ("threatening").

From Latin impenetrabilis; im- + penetrable.

From Old French sandale, ultimately from Ancient Greek sandalion, a diminutive of sandalon — despite the resemblance, it is not related to the word "sand."

From Latin "sapiens," meaning "wise" or "discerning," the present participle of "sapere," to know.

From Anglo-Norman sacrestie, from Medieval Latin sacristia.

Compound of sales + person, formed as a gender-neutral alternative to "salesman."

From sales + woman.

Formed from sag + the adjective suffix -y.

See peak (Etymology 2).

From Welsh Maredudd (“great lord”).

Derived from the verb school, meaning to teach or train.

From the verb scintillate plus the suffix -ing.

Formed from "monk" plus "fish" — the fish's odd, hooded head was thought to resemble a monk's cowl.

From Middle English castyng, built from cast plus the suffix -ing.

From back + -ing.