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 Middle English wily, built from wile (a crafty trick) + -y.

From Italian piazza ("square"), related to English "place" and "plaza."

A shortened form of the chemical name para-acetylaminophenol.

Coined in scientific Latin around 1811, probably from Greek ékhidna ("snake" or "viper"); some sources also link the name to Echidna, a serpent-woman of Greek mythology, since early naturalists were unsure whether the animal was mammal or reptile.

From anti- ("against") plus body, a direct translation of the German word Antikörper.

From put + -ing.

Borrowed from French cartilage, from Latin cartilago. It largely replaced the older native English word "gristle," which is still used informally for cartilage in meat.

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

From easy plus the adverb ending -ly.

From Louisiana Creole craps, itself an alteration of the English word "crabs" (an old term for the lowest throw at dice).

From Old French succession, from Latin successio.

From a Germanic word (via Dutch/Low German krank) originally meaning "bent" or "weak" — the mechanical handle is named for its bent shape.

From "fluoresce" plus "-ent," ultimately tracing back to the mineral fluorite, which was noted for glowing under certain light.

A compound of high and light, describing the brightest ("highest") points of light in an image before the word broadened to mean any standout moment or detail.

From un- plus dignified.

From Latin neglectus, "disregarded," from neg- ("not") + legere ("to pick up, pay heed to").

From Middle English mermayde, literally "maid of the sea" — from mere ("sea, lake") plus maid.

From Old English midd ("middle"), the same root that gives us "middle" and "midway." The slang sense meaning "mediocre" is a recent development, likely influenced by words like "middling."

From Latin pendulus ("hanging").

A shortened, casual form of "lubricant."

From love plus the suffix -able, "capable of being loved."

From love plus lorn, an old word meaning "lost" or "forsaken."

From Latin "lucidus," meaning bright or clear, from "luceo," to shine.

Coined in French from Latin lac, "milk," plus the chemical suffix "-ose" used for sugars.