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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Borrowed from Italian Ravenna, from Latin Ravenna.

Named after Parma, the Italian city famous for parmesan cheese.

From Italian Messina. Doublet of Messene.

The "temple" sense is borrowed from Thai วัด (wát).

From Old English lengþu, built from "long" plus a suffix used to form abstract nouns — the same pattern that turns "strong" into "strength."

From Latin praescribere, "to write before" — from prae- ("before") and scribere ("to write").

Borrowed directly from the Telugu word for itself, తెలుగు.

Borrowed from Lao ລາວ (lāo).

From "Vienna" plus the ending "-ese," used to form adjectives and nouns describing people or things from a place (as in "Japanese" or "Chinese").

A shortened, informal form of "goalkeeper."

First recorded in the 16th century; origin uncertain, but possibly linked to "hook", referring to the curved shape of the stick.

From fire and fighter, coined as a gender-neutral alternative to fireman.

From French pianiste, from Italian pianista, built from piano plus -ist.

Formed from "botany" plus "-ist," the suffix for a person who practices a field.

From violin plus the suffix -ist, which marks someone who plays an instrument or practices a skill.

From Old English pal, from Latin palus, "stake."

From Latin caveat, "let him beware" — a form of the verb caveō, "to be on guard." A doublet of "show."

From Latin indulgere ("to indulge, be lenient toward").

Formed from "Morocco" plus the suffix "-an."

From "Syria" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-an."

Formed from Venezuela plus the adjective suffix -an.

From "Mongolia" plus the adjective suffix "-an."

Formed from Iran plus the suffix "-ian."

From Arabic عِرَاقِيّ (ʿirāqiyy), formed from Iraq plus the "-i" ending used for nationalities.