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 Middle English tresorer, from Old French tresorer, from tresor + -er. Displaced native Old English māþmhierde.

From Old French tresor, ultimately from Greek thēsaurós, "treasure house" — the same root gives us "thesaurus."

Formed from re- ("again") plus birth.

From the Stoa Poikile ("painted porch") in Athens, where the philosopher Zeno taught the school of thought known as Stoicism.

From Old French "marier," from Latin "maritare," related to "maritus" meaning husband.

From Latin patiens, present participle of patior, "to suffer or endure" — the same root as "patience."

From "program/programme" plus the agent suffix "-er."

A clipping of California.

Traditionally linked to the belief that Julius Caesar was born this way, from the Latin family name Caesar, though the connection is disputed by historians.

From French débris, from Old French debrisier, "to break apart" — ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "to break violently."

Formed in Middle English from the phrase "it may be", shortened to "maybe" over time.

From Middle English perhappes, formed from "per" plus "hap" ("chance") and the adverbial suffix "-s".

From Old French empestrer ("to encumber"), later influenced by association with "pest," shifting its meaning toward "annoy persistently."

From Medieval Latin punctuatio, "a marking with points," from punctuare, "to mark with points."

Origin disputed — possibly from an Old French phrase meaning "one who keeps their mouth open," or from Middle English bedel ("beadle," an officer who enforced rules), with the sound shifting over time.

From German Dachshund, literally "badger dog" — Dachs ("badger") plus Hund ("dog"), because the breed was used to hunt badgers.

From Old English lēac, "leek, onion, garlic" — a Germanic word shared with Dutch and German terms for similar vegetables.

From Old English mealt, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "soft" or "melting" — related to the word "melt."

From Greek Sokrates, of uncertain further origin.

From Old French fame, from Latin fama ("talk, rumor, reputation").

From Old French glorie, from Latin gloria, meaning fame, honour, or renown.

From Latin rōs marīnus, literally "dew of the sea" — later reshaped in English under the influence of the names "rose" and "Mary."

From hat plus the agent suffix -er — literally "one who makes hats." The Lewis Carroll phrase "mad as a hatter" is often linked to mercury poisoning once common among felt-hat makers.

From Old French carole, "a round dance with singing," itself of uncertain deeper origin — possibly linked to Greek words for chorus and flute-playing.