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 Old English folc ("people, nation"), an ancient Germanic word related to German Volk and Dutch volk.

A shortened form of "adventure," worn down over centuries of everyday use.

From Anglo-Norman vengeaunce, from Old French vengier ("to avenge").

From Old French verge, "rod or wand of office," from Latin virga ("rod, shoot"); the "edge/limit" sense grew out of the idea of a boundary marked by a ceremonial rod.

From Middle English velvet, from Old Occitan veluet, ultimately from Latin villus ("shaggy hair, tuft"). Related to French velours.

Borrowed from Middle Dutch vieren, meaning "to slacken" (originally about letting out a rope or sail-line).

From Medieval Latin validatus, from Latin validus, "strong" — the same root as "valid".

From Latin delusio, from deludere ("to deceive").

From Latin educator, from educare ("to educate").

From French effectif, based on Latin efficere, "to bring about" or "accomplish" — the same root that gives us "effect" and "efficient."

From Latin exemptus, past participle of eximere, "to take out, remove."

From Greek problematikos, related to "problema" — the same root as "problem."

From catalysis plus the agent suffix -ist, ultimately from Ancient Greek katalyein, "to dissolve or break down."

From Old French instant, from Latin instans ("standing near, pressing, urgent"), the present participle of instare, "to stand upon or press upon" — from in- ("on") + stare ("to stand").

Borrowed from French routine, itself built on route ("path"), reflecting the idea of following a well-worn course.

Related to "hum" — the sound of a closed-mouth murmur.

The weaving sense comes from Old English owef, related to "weave." The barking sense simply imitates the sound dogs make.

A Latin-derived clipping of Laurentius, a doublet of Laurence.

An extension of "beside" with an adverbial "-s" ending, from Middle English bisides.

From Old English be sīdan, literally "by the side."

From neck + lace.

The American form of British "snigger," likely imitative of the sound of a suppressed laugh.

Borrowed from Japanese gi ("clothing"), used in compounds like judogi and karategi.

From Arabic eid ("feast, festival"), passed into English partly via Persian.