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 un- + freeze.

From Spanish sabana, itself borrowed from a Taíno word describing open grassland.

From profession + -al.

From athletic, formed with the suffix -ics on the model of words like "gymnastics."

From Anglo-Norman amenable, built on French mener, "to lead" — someone amenable can be "led" toward agreement.

From Middle English strumpet, of uncertain origin, possibly linked to a Middle Dutch word for "to stalk" or the Latin stuprum ("violation").

From Old French autentique, from Latin authenticus, from Greek authentikós ("genuine").

From Italian villa, going back to Latin vīlla, "country house."

From Old English upweardes, from up + -weard ("-ward," meaning "in the direction of").

From Latin propositio, from the verb proponere ("to put forward"), the same root as "propose."

From mis- + fit.

From "mump" (to grimace), likely referring to the swollen, pained facial expression the illness causes.

From Old French exciter, from Latin excitare, "to call forth or rouse" — from ex ("out") plus ciere ("to set in motion").

From Old French maistresse, the feminine form of maistre, "master."

From promote plus the agent suffix -er.

From Old English missan, "to fail to hit or notice," from a Germanic root meaning "to go wrong." The title "Miss" comes from a shortened form of "mistress."

From tell plus tale, likely reshaped from an earlier form of "tale-teller."

From Ancient Greek Σελήνη (Selḗnē), from σέλας (sélas, "light").

Borrowed from Latin condominium, formed from con- ("together") and dominium ("ownership, lordship").

From "gnarl" (a knot in wood) plus "-y." The slang meanings of "excellent" or "extreme" were popularized by American surf culture in the 1970s.

From refine plus the place-noun suffix -ry.

From Latin eminentia, "prominence" or "distinction," from eminere, "to stand out."

Probably from back + an old word for "game."

Formed from gamble + -ing.