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 brilliant plus the suffix -ance.

Formed from the verb moonlight plus -ing.

From Middle English monelight, a compound of moon and light; the verb sense developed later, from the image of doing extra work after dark once the main job was done.

Originally a medieval nickname for "Jack," also used as a short form of "Jacob" or "James."

From Old French monstrueuse, ultimately from Latin monstrosus — from the same root as "monster."

Borrowed from Spanish camino, meaning "road" or "path."

From Latin mīlitia, "military service," from mīles, "soldier."

Formed from light + -ing, describing both the act of lighting and the equipment that provides it.

An alternative spelling of "welsh" (in the sense "to fail to pay a debt"), originally from the ethnic term Welsh — the connection to the Welsh people is unclear and the usage is now considered by many to be offensive in origin, though it survives mainly as a set phrase.

From Old English hēræfter, literally "here" plus "after."

From Middle English, formed from "double" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

From Middle English princely, formed from prince plus the suffix -ly.

From nice plus the adverb ending -ly.

From Old English meahtiglice, "mighty" + the adverb-forming suffix "-ly".

From vivid + -ly.

From mechanical plus the adverb suffix -ly.

From involuntary + -ly or in- + voluntarily.

Formed from the adjective cool plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From last plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Old English sarlice, built from sore + the adverb suffix -ly.

From forcible + -ly.

From thoughtful plus -ly.

From Middle English cruelly; equivalent to cruel + -ly.

From "furious" plus the adverb suffix "-ly."