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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First recorded in the early 20th century, likely a blend of highway and jacker ("one who holds someone up"); origin details remain uncertain.

From Old French ponderer, "to weigh," from Latin ponderāre, from pondus ("weight") — to ponder is literally to "weigh" an idea in your mind.

From Old French reignier, from Latin rēgnō, related to rēgnum ("kingdom, rule").

From Anglo-Norman medler, from Late Latin misculāre, from Latin misceō ("to mix") — the sense narrowed from "to mix in" to "to interfere".

From Middle English riggyng, formed from rig plus -ing.

From French flexibilite, ultimately from Latin flectere ("to bend").

From disgust plus -ing, describing something that causes that reaction.

From Old French preignant/pregnant, from Latin praegnans, built from prae- ("before") plus an old root meaning "to be born." It replaced the native Old English word bearneacen, literally "child-enlarged."

From "blur" + "-ed."

From tire ("to grow weary") plus -less.

From Old English cwencan, related to a Germanic root for extinguishing.

Popularized by "Spotify Wrapped," launched in 2016.

From Old French noble, from Latin nōbilis ("well-known, high-born"), related to nōscere ("to know").

From Old French remouvoir, from Latin removere ("to move back"), from re- + movere ("to move").

A learned borrowing of Latin locus, "place." A doublet of the English word "lieu."

From Old French atirier, "to equip, put in order," related to a word meaning "rank" or "order."

From the verb "bind" plus "-ing" — literally, the act or result of binding something.

From Greek blasphēmeîn via Old French and Latin — the same root gives English "blame."

From Old French banir, "to proclaim or outlaw," rooted in the same Germanic word behind ban — to banish someone was originally to publicly declare them an outlaw.

From Old French boulge, "leather bag," ultimately from a Celtic root meaning "sack" or "belly" — related to "bilge," "belly," and "budget."

From Latin audire, "to hear," via Late Latin audibilis.

From Latin alienatio, from alienare ("to estrange" or "to transfer ownership").

From an Aleut word referring to the mainland, describing land toward which the sea's currents are directed; the name reached English through Russian.

From cuttle (an old word for the animal, of uncertain origin) plus fish.