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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

From Greek âsthma, "hard breathing." The silent "th" spelling was added in the 1500s to match the Greek original.

Traces back through Old English and Old French to Latin antiphona, from Greek antiphōna, "sounds in response" — originally music sung back and forth between two choir groups.

From Ancient Greek Ἀναστασία (Anastasía), from ἀνάστασις (anástasis, "resurrection").

From Ancient Greek ambrosia, "immortality", from ambrotos, "immortal" — a- ("not") plus brotos ("mortal").

From French aéronautique, built from aero- ("air") plus -naut ("sailor," as in astronaut) plus -ics.

From aero- plus dynamics, following the pattern of aerodynamic.

Borrowed from Hawaiian hula, the name of the dance.

Borrowed from Hawaiian kahuna ("priest, expert, wizard").

Borrowed from Hawaiian "lūʻau," originally the name of a taro-leaf dish that came to name the whole feast.

From Hawaiian "ukulele", literally "jumping flea" — combining "uku" ("flea") and "lele" ("to jump"), supposedly describing how fast a player's fingers move.

From French taxidermie, built from Ancient Greek taxis ("arrangement") and derma ("skin") — literally "the arranging of skin."

Formed from "tele-" ("distant") plus "-kinesis" ("movement").

From Latin Theodorus, borrowed from Greek Theodoros, from theos ("god") plus doron ("gift").

From Greek therapeia ("service, medical treatment"), from therapeuo ("to serve, treat medically").

From Old French tragedie, from Latin tragoedia, from Ancient Greek tragōidía, literally "goat-song" — likely a reference to the goat-costumed performers in early Greek drama, though the exact link is debated.

From Ancient Greek trauma, "wound, damage."

From Old French tyrannie, ultimately from the Greek word for the rule of an absolute ruler or tyrant.

From Old French tyrant, ultimately from the Greek word for a usurper or absolute ruler.

From hope + the suffix -ful ("full of").

From Latin vivax, "lively, vigorous," from vivere, "to live."

From joy plus the suffix -ful, meaning "full of."

From Late Latin viscosus, from Latin viscum, "birdlime," a sticky substance made from plants.

From Greek stigma, "a mark made by a pointed instrument" — originally a brand burned into the skin of slaves or criminals.

From the London borough of Hackney, once known for pastures where horses were kept for hire.