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

An initialism of the Latin Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum, 'Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews'.

From Late Latin inimicalis, from Latin inimicus 'enemy', formed from in- 'not' and amicus 'friend'.

Formed from influence plus the agent ending -er.

From Late Latin incubus 'nightmare', from incubare 'to lie upon'.

From increment, which comes from Latin incrementum 'growth, increase', from increscere 'to grow'.

From Latin incredulus, formed from in- 'not' and credulus 'believing', from credere 'to believe'.

Formed from inclusive, which derives from Latin includere 'to shut in', plus the noun ending -ity.

From Medieval Latin incarcerare, formed from in- 'in' and carcer 'prison'.

From Latin impostor, a contraction of impositor 'one who imposes upon others', which reached English through French.

Formed from impact plus the suffix -ful.

An initialism of 'in my opinion'.

From immerse, which comes from Latin immergere 'to plunge into', plus the adjective ending -ive.

From Latin imbuere, meaning to soak, steep or stain.

From Latin imbibere, formed from in- 'in' and bibere 'to drink'.

Most often a mistyping of LMAO, the i and l keys being adjacent. Also used deliberately as an initialism of 'in my arrogant opinion', a joking variant of IMO.

An initialism of 'I love you'.

From Latin illudere 'to mock or play upon', the same root that gives illusion.

An initialism of 'I know, right?'.

An initialism of 'if I recall correctly'.

ignorance is bliss

From Thomas Gray's poem, Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College (1742): "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."

An abbreviation of Latin id est, meaning 'that is'.

From Greek eidololatria, combining eidolon 'image, idol' and latreia 'worship', which passed into English through Latin and Old French.

In the messaging sense, an initialism of I don't mind; in the music sense, of intelligent dance music.

An initialism of the phrase I don't know.