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 Old English fana, "banner, cloth" — related to "vane," as in weathervane.

From Latin forensis, "of the forum," since Roman legal matters were argued in public in the forum.

From Old English bærfōt, a straightforward compound of "bare" and "foot" going back over a thousand years.

From Old French flanc, of Germanic origin, related to a root meaning "to bend" — the same root behind lank.

From un- + believable.

From un- + becoming (in the old sense of "fitting" or "suitable").

From Middle English unberable, from un- + bearable.

From Old English roots meaning "to wander," closely related to the word "ramble."

Origin unclear; possibly linked to "innocent" or an old Italian word for a small child.

The undergarment may be named after an American designer, Theodore Baer.

From Middle English unavoidable, built from un- + avoidable.

From bean + pole, originally the literal stake used to support bean vines.

From Old French "blesmir," meaning to make pale or bruise, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "pale."

From Old English gōdnes, built from "good" plus the noun-forming suffix "-ness."

A blend of "gay" and "radar."

From Old French provision, from Latin provisio, "foresight, preparation" — from providere, "to see ahead, provide for."

From Late Latin dēcapitāre, literally "to de-head" — dē- ("off") + caput ("head").

From choose plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From Latin unanimus, "of one mind," combining unus ("one") and animus ("mind, spirit").

From artisan + -al.

From French extradition, itself from Latin ex- ("out") + traditio ("handing over").

From Old French asseser, from Medieval Latin assessare, from Latin assidere ("to sit beside", used of judges sitting to determine a case), from ad- plus sedere ("to sit").

From Old French arbitration, from Latin arbitratio, related to arbiter, "judge".

From Old French applicable, from Medieval Latin applicabilis.