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 "sea" plus "-worthy," meaning fit or suitable for something.

A compound of note + worthy.

From "news" plus "-worthy," meaning deserving of.

From Middle English loupe ("noose, loop"), likely tracing back to an Old Norse word for running or leaping, via the idea of a "running knot."

Two possible origins: * Borrowed from Polish Róg, a metonymic occupational surname for a horn blower, from róg (“horn”). * Borrowed from Dutch Rog, a topographic or habitational surname from rog (“ray”).

From Latin sōlāris, from sōl ("sun").

From legend plus the adjective suffix -ary, via Medieval Latin legendārius.

From Old French amoros, ultimately from Latin amor, "love".

Coined from the state name Indiana plus the Greek suffix -polis ("city").

From Old French rivet, from river ("to fasten"), ultimately traced back to Latin ripa ("riverbank") — the same root that gives us "river" and "rival."

Formed from the phrase "come back," turned into a single noun.

From "beef" plus the adjective-forming ending "-y."

From Greek astrología, "telling of the stars," from ástron ("star") plus -logía ("study of").

From mush + the adjective suffix -y.

From butter plus fingers — the idea that someone's hands are as slippery as if coated in butter.

Thought to come from saying "oh" with the mouth snapping shut, adding a "p" sound — the same pattern as "yep," "nope," and "welp."

Believed to be a back-formation from chemise (a type of undergarment), mistaken for a plural form.

From mental + -ly.

From New Latin moratorium, from Latin moror, "to delay," from mora, "delay."

Borrowed from Italian signorina, a diminutive of signora.

Borrowed from Italian signore, related to French seigneur and Spanish señor — all ultimately from Latin senior.

Borrowed directly from Italian signora, the feminine form of signore.

From ben(zedrine) plus the suffix -y, originally coined as slang for the stimulant drug.

From Latin triangularis, from triangulum, "triangle."