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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

From Middle English waynscot, from Middle Low German wagenschot or Middle Dutch waghenscote, assumed to be from wagen (“wagon”) (from Old Saxon wagan) + schot, meaning “partition, crossbar," which is from or related to skiotan (“to shoot”).

From vegetation + -al.

From up- + raise.

Shetland and Orkney dialect, from Norn, from Old Norse vágr (“inlet, bay”). Cognate with Swedish and Norwegian våg, and Faroese vágur. Doublet of way.

From unisexual + -ity.

From unobvious + -ly.

Occupational surname for a cartwright, from Middle English wayn (“wagon, cart”) + man.

From undulate + -ion, or borrowed from Medieval Latin undulātiō; compare French ondulation.

From Old English wǣfre (“restless, wavering”) + lēah (“meadow”), thus "the woodland clearing with swaying trees".

From un- + incorporate.

From white + mail, by analogy with blackmail.

From un- + moor.

From un- + doomed.

From un- + numberable.

From un- + stay.

From un- + tasteable.

From un- + ruled.

From wand + -y.

From waft + -ure.

From un- + hoard.

From un- + shot.

Deverbal from walk over.

By surface analysis, verse + -al.