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 "hand" + "shake" — literally the shaking of hands.

From French chou ("cabbage"), the name transferring to the pastry because of its round, cabbage-like shape.

From German Narzissismus, built on the name Narcissus — the figure from Greek myth who fell in love with his own reflection — plus the suffix "-ism".

A compound of dare and devil, literally someone who "dares the devil" — bold to the point of tempting fate.

Likely imitative in origin, echoing the trilling quality of the sound itself.

From Old French perir, from Latin perire ("to pass away"), from per- ("through") + ire ("to go").

From Ancient Greek energētikós, from energós ("active") — the same root as "energy."

Past tense/adjective form of the verb gut.

Origin unclear; possibly a blend of "dough" and "cash," both existing slang terms for money.

Formed from "snug" plus the frequentative suffix "-le," suggesting repeated cosy movement.

From Middle English sippen, of uncertain origin, possibly related to Old English words for dripping or trickling liquid.

From Old French pouleterie, from poule ("hen"), ultimately from Latin pullus, "young animal" — the same root that gives us "pullet" and "foal".

Formed from "isolated," which came through French isolé and Italian isolato, ultimately from Latin insula, "island" — the same root as "insulate."

From Latin postpono, from post ('after') plus pono ('to put, place') — literally 'to put after.'

From black plus an old word "mail" meaning rent or tribute — originally the protection money paid to border raiders in Scotland and northern England to avoid being robbed.

From mis- ("wrongly") plus trust.

Origin uncertain — possibly related to an old word for splitting into fragments, later applied to the trembling of the body.

From Middle English hummen, an imitative word describing the buzzing or droning sound itself.

From Old Northern French chisel, ultimately from Latin caedō, meaning "to cut" — making it a doublet of "scissors".

From "Tom" (used generically for an ordinary man) plus "foolery."

From "cuddle" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."

Origin uncertain, likely linked to Middle English words meaning "to be familiar with" or "to make known."

From Middle English strong-hold, a compound of strong and hold ("grip, control") — literally "a place held strongly."

From Latin plaga, "blow, wound," related to a verb meaning "to strike."