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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An Arabic acronym for "Islamic Resistance Movement," which also spells out a word meaning "zeal" or "enthusiasm."

From Arabic حَسَن (ḥasan, “fine, good, good-looking, handsome, manly; strong”).

From Arabic حَسَن (ḥasan, “fine, good, good-looking, handsome, manly; strong”).

From breathe + the agent suffix -er.

Originally a dialect word meaning "fool" or "simpleton," from a Low German word for someone who plays the bagpipes badly; the modern "aimless sketching" sense only emerged in the 1930s, likely influenced by "dawdle."

From Late Latin systematicus, from Greek sustematikos, related to "system."

From Latin spontaneus, "voluntary," built on the idea of acting from one's own free will.

A casual shortening of "roommate" with the informal -ie ending.

Borrowed from Arabic ḥizb allāh, literally "party of God."

An imitative cry of frustration, in use since at least the 18th century.

From shit plus the adjective suffix -y.

From Middle English linet, ultimately traced to Old French linette ("flax grain") or Latin linteum ("linen cloth").

Borrowed from Arabic ḥijāb, meaning "veil" or "curtain," from a root meaning "to cover" or "to conceal."

From Arabic فَاطِمَة (fāṭima). The name Fatima is from the Arabic root f-t-m (lit. 'to wean') and signifies the Shia belief that she, her progeny, and her adherents (Shi'a) have been spared from hellfire. Alternatively, the word Fatima is associated in Shia sources with Fatir (lit. 'creator', a name of God) as the earthly symbol of the divine creative power.

Borrowed from Arabic faqīr, meaning "poor man."

A blend of "video" and "blog."

From Arabic amir, "commander" or "prince," via Ottoman Turkish and French; a doublet of admiral and amir.

Borrowed from Arabic رَمَضَان (ramaḍān).

From Hebrew yishma'el ("God hears").

From Arabic ʔismāʕīl; the same name as the English "Ishmael."

From operation plus the adjective suffix "-al."

From Old English hearmlēas, built from harm plus the suffix -less ("without"). The German cousin harmlos means the same thing.

From "caliph" plus the suffix "-ate," denoting a state or office.

Borrowed from French échelon, "rung of a ladder," from échelle ("ladder"), ultimately from Latin scāla — the image is of ranks stepping up like rungs.