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 Latin desistere, "to stand off, leave off" — from de- + sistere ("to stand, stop").

From Old French gargouille, related to "gargle" — both trace back to words for "throat" or "gullet," describing the water passing through the carved figure's mouth.

From pretend + -er.

Origin uncertain; possibly an alteration of "fawny," old slang for a gilt ring used by street swindlers.

Formed from "ultimate" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly".

From Latin "ulna", meaning "elbow" or "forearm".

From Latin origo, "beginning, source," from orior, "to rise" — the same root behind "orient" and "original."

From Old French corrosif — related to "corrosion" and "corrode".

From "blunt" + "-ly."

From Latin impolitus, formed from im- ("not") + polite.

From point + -less, literally "without a point."

From Middle English trippen ("to step lightly, skip"), possibly via Old French triper or Middle Dutch trippen.

From Old French malicios, from Latin malitiosus, related to malitia, "malice."

From German Bratwurst, from braten ("to fry") and Wurst ("sausage").

From Latin reciprocus, "moving back and forth," likely built from re- ("back") and pro- ("forward") joined with -que ("and") — the idea of something going both ways.

From Latin propellō, from pro- ("forward") plus pellō ("to push").

Formed from the verb phrase "run off".

Inherited from Middle English Derbyschire, from late Old English Dēorbȳsċīr; equivalent to Derby + -shire.

From arrow + head, describing the pointed tip.

From muck + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

A shortened, informal form of "budgerigar," itself borrowed from an Australian Aboriginal language.

A clipping of Douglas.

The dance name comes from Doug plus the informal -ie ending, popularized in a 2010 hip-hop song.

A blend of charity and mugger, coined to describe pushy street fundraisers.