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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Borrowed from New Latin sternum, related to an Old English word for "forehead."

A partial translation of an older Middle English term "chawlbone" — simply "jaw" plus "bone."

From Old French entraper, built from "en-" plus "trap."

Origin uncertain, but likely related to an Old English word meaning "to shine or grow pale" — possibly linked to the same root as "bleak."

From Latin salax, salacis, "lustful," originally describing animals eager to mate.

From Old French defrauder, from de- + frauder — from the same root as "fraud."

A back-formation from swindler, itself borrowed from German Schwindler, related to schwindeln ("to be dizzy" or, figuratively, "to deceive").

Borrowed from German Schwindler in the late 1700s, from a word meaning "one who deceives."

From Old French souple ("soft, lithe"), from Latin supplex ("kneeling, submissive"), ultimately from sub- + plicare ("to bend") — compare "complex."

From Old French serpentin, from Latin serpentīnus, based on serpēns, "serpent."

A straightforward compound of cheek and bone, dating back to Old English ceacban.

From Old French essorer ("to fly up"), ultimately from Latin ex- ("out") plus aura ("air, breeze") — the same root that gives us "aura."

From French patrouille, originally meaning "a night-watch" or literally "a tramping about," related to patte, "paw" or "foot."

A compound of "after" + "taste."

From French comédien, ultimately from Ancient Greek komoidia ("comedy").

Compare Dutch vochtig. In the senses “insignificant, paltry; poorly kept, shoddy” Merriam-Webster suggests derivation from French foutu, past participle of foutre (“to copulate, fuck, screw”).

Formed from "percent" plus the suffix -age, indicating a rate or proportion.

Borrowed from French calorie, built on Latin calor ("heat").

From hap ("luck") plus the suffix -less ("without"), so literally "without luck."

From Old French évasion, from Late Latin ēvāsiō, from the same root as evade.

From song + writer.

From Old French justifier, from Late Latin justificare, "to make just," combining iustus, "just," with facere, "to make."

From Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum, from counter- + point, originally referring to notes set "point against point."

From Japanese 女子プロレス (joshi puroresu), a shortening of "joshi" (woman) plus "puroresu" (professional wrestling).