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 aggressor ("attacker"), from the same root as "aggression" and "aggressive."

From sex + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

Borrowed from Punjabi sikkha, meaning "disciple" or "learner".

From Latin junior, "younger," the comparative form of iuvenis, "young" — the same root as juvenile.

From Latin senior, the comparative form of senex, "old" — the same root behind "senate" and "senility."

From Middle French aggravation, from the same Latin root as "aggravate."

From Latin conclāve, "a room that can be locked" — from con- ("together") and clāvis ("key").

From Spanish clave ("key"), from Latin clavis — the same root behind "clef" and "clavicle."

From Old French damner, from Latin damnare ("to condemn, to inflict loss upon").

A shortening of cabriolet, an old horse-drawn carriage.

From Old French afermacion, from Latin affirmare, "to assert."

From French affiliation, from Latin affiliatio, "adoption," ultimately from filius, "son."

From Late Latin relativus, from Latin relatus, "carried back" — the past participle of referre, "to relate."

A learned borrowing from Latin (membra) genitalia, "organs of generation", first recorded in English in 1651.

Formed from Alsace + -ian.

From Middle English undressen, from un- plus dress; related to Old English unsċrȳdan, literally "to un-shroud."

From Old French froc ("a monk's habit"), tracing back through Medieval Latin to a Frankish word for a robe or tunic.

From Irish "slaba," originally referring to mud, later applied insultingly to an untidy person.

From Latin fixus, "fastened, immovable," the past participle of figere, "to fasten or drive in" — the same root gives us "fixture."

The verb comes from Old English līcian ("to please, be pleasing"), related to Old English/Germanic roots meaning "similar" — hence the overlap with the "similar to" senses.

From Italian soprano, "above" — from Latin super, "above" — because it is the highest vocal part. Related to the word "sovereign," which comes from the same Latin root by a different path.

Borrowed from Italian alto, meaning "high."

From Middle English lay man — "lay" (non-clergy) plus "man."

From Latin tenor ("course, continuance, holder"), from tenere ("to hold") — in music, named for the voice that "holds" the main melody.