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 Latin tiara, from Greek tiara, of uncertain ultimate origin.

Formed from "orgasm" plus "-ic." The more historically regular form would be "orgastic," following the pattern of "enthusiasm/enthusiastic," but "orgasmic" is now the common form.

From Middle English trewes, the plural of "trewe," meaning a pledge or pact — the same root that gives us "true," reflecting the idea of a trusted agreement.

From Old French parler, "to speak" — a distant relative of "parable" and "palaver."

From Old French daigner, from Latin dignāre ("to deem worthy"), from dignus ("worthy, fitting").

From "woods" plus "-man," an extension of the older word "woodman."

From "wood" plus the adjective ending "-ed."

From Middle English wommanhod, from woman plus -hood.

Formed from copy plus the agent suffix -er, giving "one that copies."

From Middle English glenchen, "to strike a glancing blow" or "to dodge aside," blending an Old French word for sliding on ice with another meaning "to swerve or dodge."

From wobble plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From Old English līcness, built from like plus the noun suffix -ness.

From Latin irritatus, past participle of irritare, "to excite or provoke."

From Old French informer, from Latin informare, "to shape, train, instruct," from in- plus forma ("form").

From Old English wiþstandan, formed from with- (meaning "against") plus stand.

From wither plus the ending -ing.

From Middle English widren, related to weather — originally describing something being worn down by exposure to the elements.

From Old English wiccecraft, formed from witch plus craft.

Probably built from the older word whist ("silent") plus -ful, though its meaning was shaped over time by association with "wishful."

From wish plus the adjective ending -ful.

From Spanish cantina, from Italian cantina, "cellar." A doublet of "canteen."

From wing + span.

Clipping of audio-. Cognates include Sanskrit आविस् (āvís, “manifestly, evidently”) and Ancient Greek αἰσθάνομαι (aisthánomai, “perceive, notice”) whence English aesthetic.

Imitative, similar to "blech," mimicking a small sound of disgust or apathy.