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 English wyrt, meaning "root, herb, or plant" — the same root as "root" itself and related to "orchard."

From Old English glæd ("shining, bright, cheerful"), from a Germanic root also meaning "smooth" or "radiant."

From Greek pentágōnon, from pénte ("five") + gōnía ("angle").

From Latin immaturus, formed from "im-" ("not") plus maturus ("ripe").

From Latin simia, "ape, monkey," itself from Greek simos, "snub-nosed."

From the generic use of the female given name Jenny, and partly from informal pronunciations of "engine" (as in the spinning jenny).

A straightforward combination of "jack" (a male animal) and "ass" (donkey), later extended as an insult for a foolish or rude person.

From Old French gantelet, a diminutive of gant ("glove"), tracing back to a Frankish word for glove or mitten.

Traced back to Old Norse traust ("confidence, protection"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning firm or solid — the same root behind "true" and "tree."

Formed from rely plus the suffix -able, meaning "able to be relied on."

From Dutch kruisen ("to cross, sail around"), from kruis ("cross"), ultimately from Latin crux.

From Old French servise, from Latin servitium ("slavery, service"), from servus ("slave, servant").

From Old French purgier, from Latin pūrgō ("to make pure"), from pūrus ("pure") plus agō ("to do, make").

From Middle English stalke, likely from an Old English root related to a stem or support, going back to a Proto-Indo-European word for "post" or "stalk."

From Old English ymen, reinforced by Old French ymne, both from Latin hymnus, borrowed from Greek humnos.

From Old English manu ("mane"), from a Proto-Germanic root related to "neck," shared with the German word Mähne.

From Old English mægen ("strength, principal force"), related to the verb "may" in the sense of power or ability.

From Old French hanter, "to frequent or visit regularly" — the ghost sense grew out of the idea of returning again and again to the same place.

From Middle English gaunt; its deeper origin is genuinely uncertain, with rival theories pointing to Old Norse or Old French roots.

Borrowed via French gaze from an Arabic word meaning "silk."

From Latin pausa, itself from Greek pausis ("stopping"), related to the verb pauein ("to stop").

From Old French poe, of uncertain deeper origin, possibly linked to a Germanic root meaning "to poke" or "put."

Origin disputed — likely from Anglo-Norman "jowe" (cheek), though some trace it to Old English roots related to "chaw" and "chew."

From Old English ġinian and gānian, both meaning "to gape or yawn," tracing back to a very old Indo-European root for opening the mouth wide.