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

From Middle English queþer-so-ever, weder-so-ever, wheder so ever, wheder-so-ever. By surface analysis, whether + so + ever.

From vanquish + -able.

From unwise + -ness.

From un- + notated.

Borrowed from Dutch Waterland.

From Italian vagare (“wander”) and/or its source Latin vagārī (“to wander”), from Latin vagus (“wandering”). Later apparently reinterpreted in English as vague + -ery but without changing the spelling. By surface analysis, Latin vag(us) + -ary.

From un- (“not”) + gainly (“graceful; becoming; proper, suitable; gracious, kindly”) (from gain (“dexterous; convenient, easy, handy; suitable”), from Old Norse gegn (“fit, serviceable; direct, straight; honest; kindly”) + -ly (suffix forming adjectives from nouns)). Compare dialectal Norwegian Nynorsk ugjegnleg (“stubborn; troublesome”).

From un- + work.

From un- + notatable.

From Latin Vulcanalia.

From un- + systematic.

From validate + -or.

From war + horse.

Directly from Latin Volcāniānus or from Latin Volcānius + -an within English, from Volcānus + -iānus (“-ian”) or -ius (“-y: forming adjectives”). Equivalent to Volcan + -ian. Doublet of Vulcanian.

Unadapted borrowing from German Weltanschauung.

From wealth + -less.

From un- + fazed.

From Italian Venezia. Doublet of Venetia and Venice.

From Latin vānitās. Doublet of vanity.

Blend of uni- + leotard.

From un- + puzzle.

Shortening of whenever

Shortening of Latin venīre faciās, the opening words of a writ.

The city in South Carolina was founded by German settlers, so the name in this case is probably of German origin. Compare with Valhalla.