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 un- ("not") plus explained, the past participle of explain.

From Latin operari, "to work or labor" — related to "opus" (a work) and "operation."

From Old French devorer, from Latin dēvorāre, built from de- (intensifying) and vorāre, "to swallow."

From Latin dēvōtus, past participle of dēvovēre, "to vow, dedicate solemnly, or sacrifice."

From Latin Carolus ("Charles") plus the feminine diminutive suffix -ina; the US states are named for Charles I of England.

Chinese · 1950

A translation of a Chinese term literally meaning "wash brain," first used in English around 1950.

From Latin dēfaecātus, the past participle of dēfaecāre ("to remove dregs, purify"), related to faeces ("dregs, sediment").

From Latin criticus + the adjective suffix -al, ultimately from Greek kritikos, "able to judge."

From Ancient Greek drastikós, "active, effective," from drân, "to do."

From "mourn" plus "-ful."

From Medieval Latin Arthurus, possibly from a Welsh word for "bear"; exact origins are debated.

From Latin oblivio, "forgetfulness," from oblivisci ("to forget").

From Latin obliviosus, "forgetful," from oblivium ("forgetfulness").

From French évoquer, from Latin ēvocāre, "to call out or summon," from ex- ("out") + vocāre ("to call"); related to "voice."

From Latin obvius, "in the way, easy to meet", from ob- ("towards") plus via ("road, way") — something literally "in your path" is easy to spot.

From "program/programme" plus "-ing."

From Old English hlēo, "shelter" or "protection" — related to Old Norse words for shelter from wind.

From Old English mancynn, a compound of man and cynn ("kin"), reshaped in Middle English under the influence of the word "kind."

From "remove" plus the noun-forming ending "-al."

From Old English fullice, from full + the adverbial suffix -ly.

From Latin editio, from edere ("to give out, publish").

Traced back through Spanish quina and French quinquina to Quechua kina, the native word for cinchona bark.

Formed from "quiet" plus the verb-forming suffix "-en," much like "soften" from "soft."

Built from "hydro-" (water/hydrogen) plus "oxide."