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 Alex + -a. A feminine form of Alex. * A female given name, clipping of Alexandra.

From anti- + popery.

From adventure (verb) + -ess, after adventurer. Compare earlier governess, sorceress, etc.

Transliteration of Sanskrit आनन्द (ānanda) or Pali ānanda.

Probably a fanciful spelling of Alia, Arabic عَالِيَة (ʕāliya).

From Ancient Greek ἀφάνισις (aphánisis, “disappearance”). In the psychology sense, coined by Ernest Jones in 1927.

From Latin articularis. By surface analysis, article + -ar.

From Latin Arduenna silva (“the forest”). The initial portion is likely ultimately from a Celtic term meaning “dark; obscure”.

Diminutives + -y.

A feminine diminutive form of Albert. Latinate variant of Albertine. By surface analysis, Albert + -ina.

From anticipate + -able.

From Medieval Latin aseitas (“state of being by itself”), from Classical Latin a se + -itas.

From agent + -ship.

Two main origins: * Borrowed from Hebrew אַלּוֹן (alon, “oak tree”). * Borrowed from Tagalog Alon; this surname is predominantly found in Bangsamoro region.

Blend of aeronautic + acrobatics.

From arsenic + phen- + amine.

Ultimately from Arabic عَالِمَة (ʕālima, “singer”), originally a feminine adjective meaning ‘learned, knowledgeable’, from عَلِمَ (ʕalima, “to know”).

From French amphibole, coined by René Just Haüy from Ancient Greek ἀμφίβολος (amphíbolos, “ambiguous”), in reference to its many forms.

From age + -ism. Coined by American academic Robert N. Butler in 1969.

Borrowed from French aigrette (“egret”). Doublet of egret.

From French assonance, from Latin assonāre; by surface analysis, a- + son- + -ance.

Habitational surname from a minor place in the parish of Ormskirk, Lancashire, from Old English æspen (“aspen”) + wielle (“well, spring”).

From Middle English ancle bone; equivalent to ankle + bone.

From Middle English animos, from Latin animosus (“full of courage, bold, spirited, proud”), from animus (“courage, spirit, mind”); see animus.