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 the cheerful title character of Eleanor H. Porter's 1913 novel "Pollyanna," whose name later became a byword for unshakeable optimism.

The plural of "wood," used in the same sense of a tree-covered area.

From Latin communicare ("to share, make common"), from communis ("common").

From Medieval Latin vocabularium, from Latin vocabulum, "a word, name."

From Old French "preiere," from Late Latin "precaria," related to Latin "precari" ("to beg") — the same root as "pray."

From a Latin legal phrase meaning "of whom we want you to be one," originally used to name specific people required to be part of an official commission.

From an old variant of Latin quaere, "ask, seek" — the imperative form of quaerere.

From Latin radians/radiantis, the present participle of radiare, "to give off rays".

From Old French utensile, from Latin utensilis ("fit for use").

Formed from "a-" plus "stride."

From "tune" plus the agent suffix "-er," meaning one who or that which tunes.

From Middle English tune, a variant of "tone," ultimately from Latin tonus and Greek tonos.

From Latin auxiliarius, "helping," from auxilium, "help, aid," related to augere, "to increase."

Clipping of Halotestin.

From Middle English cuttere, formed from cut plus the agent suffix -er.

From Sápmi, the Sami's own name for their homeland and people, of uncertain deeper origin.

From Middle English uncerteynte, from un- + certainty.

Borrowed from French corridor, from Italian corridore, "long passage," from correre, "to run".

From Middle French cordon, a diminutive of corde ("cord"), reflecting the original idea of a rope or ribbon marking a boundary.

From Middle English wringere, equivalent to wring + -er.

From Old English forth, related to Proto-Germanic roots shared with "fore" and "before."

From Middle English wisker, formed from the verb whisk plus -er, originally referring to something that whisks or brushes lightly.

From "moron" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-ic."

From French "peluche", meaning fluff or plush fabric.