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 Old Norse gap ("an empty space, chasm"), related to gapa, "to gape" — gap and gape share the same root.

From Old English gangan, "to go or walk" — the sense shifted from simply "a group going somewhere together" to today's meaning of an organized, often criminal, group.

From Old French galee, ultimately from a Byzantine Greek word possibly related to a term for a small shark or dogfish, referencing the ship's sleek shape.

From gay + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Old French furieus, from Latin furiosus, related to furia ("rage").

From Late Latin fundamentalis, from Latin fundamentum, "foundation," from fundus, "bottom."

From Latin frūstrātiō, "disappointment," related to frūstrā, "in vain."

From "frost" plus "bite" — the cold effectively "bites" exposed skin.

From Old French frontiere, based on Latin frons ("front").

From an older word meaning "lively, brisk", related to "fresh".

From the older English word "fright" (fear) plus the verb-forming ending "-en", the same pattern seen in "sadden" or "harden".

From Old English fyrhto, "fear, dread, trembling," related to a Proto-Germanic root for fear.

From Old English fretan, "to eat away" or "consume" — the sense of "worry" grew from the idea of something gnawing at you.

From "freight" plus the agent suffix "-er."

Old English · 1560

Origin uncertain, first appearing in English in the 1560s meaning a sudden whim; likely linked to Old English frec, "bold, eager," which drifted toward meaning something wildly out of the ordinary.

From Latin fundatio, "the act of founding," from fundare, "to lay a base."

From Old English fūl, "dirty, rotten, corrupt" — a very old Germanic word related to the idea of decay.

From Old French forteresce, "strong place," from Latin fortis, "strong."

From Old French fornicacion, from Latin fornicatio, from fornix, "brothel."

From forge + -ery, ultimately from Latin fabricārī ("to construct, fabricate").

From Middle English forrayen, "to raid or pillage," ultimately tied to an old word for fodder taken during a raid.

From foot + print.

From fond + -ly, following the shift of "fond" from meaning "foolish" to meaning "affectionate."

From Latin fluctuatio, from fluctuare ("to move like waves"), from fluctus ("wave").