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 primary plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Ultimately from Greek oikonomikós, "skilled in household management," from oîkos ("house") plus nómos ("law" or "management") — the same root gave us "economy."

From previous + -ly.

From Latin margō ("edge, border"), via Old French — a doublet of marge and margo.

From Ancient Greek demokratikos, from demokratia ("democracy") plus the adjective suffix -ikos.

From force + -ing.

Formed from rule plus the -ing ending.

From Old French forms tracing back to Frankish Hlūdawīg ("loud, famous" + "battle"), the same root that gives English "Lewis," "Ludwig," and "Luigi."

From Ancient Greek glaukoma, meaning a clouding of the eye's lens, related to a word for a blue-grey colour.

From diabetes + the adjective suffix -ic.

From hyper- ("over") + tension, describing pressure in the arteries that's higher than normal.

From Latin sutura, "a seam," from suere, "to sew."

From Latin tremendus, "fearful, to be trembled at," originally describing something so awesome it made people shake. Over time English softened it from "terrifying" to simply "very great" or "impressive."

From "picture" plus "-esque", modeled on the French pittoresque, meaning "in the style of a painting".

From Middle English kilten ("to tuck up"), tracing back to Old Norse kjalta ("skirt, lap") — the same root that gave English the word "child."

From Late Latin typicalis, based on Latin typicus, tracing to the Greek word for "type" or "mark."

Formed by adding the adverb ending -ly to "typical."

The plural of "king," referencing both the multiple rulers and the deck of cards used in the game.

From "large" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

From Old French multiplier, from Latin multiplicare, built from multi- ("many") and plicare ("to fold").

From Latin corroborare, "to strengthen," from com- ("together") plus roborare, "to strengthen" — ultimately from robur, "strength" (the same root behind "robust").

From Old French sustenir, from Latin sustineo, "to uphold" — from sub- ("from below") plus teneo ("to hold").

From happen plus the suffix -ing.

Formed from re- plus location.