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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

Probably a shortening of boy.

From Old English rinnan, "to run," the same root as the modern word "run."

The internet sense is a clipping of "channel." The Buddhist sense comes from Chinese chán, itself borrowed from Sanskrit dhyāna ("meditation").

From Ancient Greek σάν (sán), from a Semitic language.

Borrowed from Italian generalissimo, literally "most general" — the superlative form of generale.

From Japanese 将軍 (shōgun), short for a longer title meaning roughly "great general who subdues barbarians."

From Old English handle, related to "hand" — originally the part of a tool meant to be held.

From Old English hilt, related to Old Norse hjalt.

Borrowed from Japanese tantō, meaning "short sword".

From Japanese katana ("single-edged sword").

From Japanese daimyō, literally "great name," ultimately from Chinese characters meaning "great" and "name."

From Japanese 武士道 (bushidō), literally "way of the warrior," combining words for "warrior" and "way/path."

Borrowed directly from Japanese 侍 (samurai), originally meaning "one who serves."

First recorded in the 1830s, from French socialisme or built directly from social + -ism.

From French communisme, built from commun ("common") and the suffix -isme, in the mid-1800s.

From French communiste, from commun ("common") + -iste ("-ist").

From Latin votum, "a vow" — from voveo, "to vow." It's a doublet of the word vow.

From Latin electio, "a choosing," from eligere, "to choose."

From Italian totalitario, "complete, absolute," combined with the suffix -an.

Built from dictator + -ship, following the same pattern as "leadership" or "ownership."

From Old French pueple, from Latin populus ("a people, nation") — related to "populate" and "pueblo."

From Old French tissu, "woven," from a Latin verb meaning "to weave."

From Latin sub poena, "under penalty" — the opening words of the original writ, from sub ("under") plus poena ("penalty").

From Ancient Greek Asia, a name of uncertain origin possibly linked to a Hittite word for northwest Anatolia.