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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

From un- + inhabited.

From settle + -er.

Named after the French botanist Pierre Magnol (1638–1715).

Formed from home + sick, describing the "sickness" of missing home.

From usurp + -er.

indiscriminately

From indiscriminate plus the adverb suffix -ly.

From "spell" (magic charm) plus "bound" (held, tied).

Simply "age" plus the ending "-ing."

From Late Latin bronchus, from the Ancient Greek brónkhos ("windpipe"), plus the medical suffix "-itis," meaning inflammation.

New Latin · 1802

Coined around 1802 from New Latin unilateralis, from Latin unus ("one") + lateralis ("sided").

Named after Chief Seattle, from the Lushootseed name siʔaɬ.

Origin uncertain, though it’s often linked to the legendary trick of Dido, Queen of Carthage, who reportedly cut a hide into thin strips to claim more land than agreed.

Via Portuguese Bengala, ultimately from a Persian and Bengali name linked to the old Vanga Kingdom.

From "blur" + "-y."

From mud plus the adjective suffix -y, going back to Old English roots.

From "blood" plus "bath," originally suggesting a scene drenched in blood.

From "rival" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ry," on the same pattern as "wizardry" or "chivalry."

From the Ancient Greek name Galenos, related to a Greek word meaning "calm."

From the 17th-century phrase "for one's name's sake," used in early Bible translations, ultimately from a Hebrew idiom about protecting someone's reputation.

Built from "dependent" plus "-cy," or from "depend" plus "-ency."

From Middle French soliciteur, from solicit plus the agent-suffix -or.

From Latin barbarus ("foreigner, savage"), from Greek barbaros.

From Italian "bordello," ultimately related to a Latin word for a small hut, later used specifically for a brothel.

From Old English clif ("cliff") plus ford ("ford"), originally describing someone who lived near a river crossing by a cliff.