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 in- plus accurate.

From Anglo-Norman soket, a diminutive of Old French soc ("plowshare"), ultimately from a Celtic word meaning "pig's snout" — describing the pointed shape.

From prepared plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

From "ready" plus the suffix "-ness."

First recorded in the early 1800s, almost certainly an imitation of the harsh cry itself.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *speh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *spéh₁s Proto-Italic *spēs Latin spēs Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂yéti Proto-Italic *-āō Latin -ō Latin spērō Latin spērāns Old Spanish esperança Spanish esperanzabor. English esperanza Borrowed from Spanish esperanza (“hope”).

From Old English spēdiġ ("prosperous, having good speed"), from the same root as "speed."

From un- + tangle.

From Latin extrīcāre, related to "intricate" — the opposite process, essentially "un-tangling."

From Latin festivus, "joyous, pertaining to a feast."

Shortened form of "honey" used as a term of endearment.

From "sarcastic" plus the adverb suffix "-ally."

A shortening of underwear with the informal -ie/-y ending added.

From Latin sanatus ("healed") plus the Latin ending -torium, seen also in words like "auditorium."

A compound of "other world" (a realm beyond the ordinary or beyond death) and the adjective-forming suffix "-ly."

The past form of the verb "mar," from Old English "mierran," meaning to hinder or disturb.

From air + way, first describing a route through the sky and later extended to the body's breathing passage.

From Old French fortifier, from Latin fortis, "strong," plus the causative suffix -ficare.

From Latin illustris, "bright, distinguished," from illustrare, "to brighten, make famous."

From Old French honorable, from Latin honōrābilis, built on honōrō, "to honour."

From Old French honorable, from Latin honorabilis, from honorare ("to honor").

From Late Latin incisio, from incidō, "to cut into" (in- + caedō, "to cut").

From Old French lunatique, from Late Latin lunaticus ("moonstruck"), from Latin luna ("moon") — reflecting the old superstition that changes in the moon triggered fits of madness.

From Old French pharmacie, based on Greek pharmakeia ("use of drugs"), from pharmakon ("drug, remedy, or poison").