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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A variant of Luther.

Borrowed from Sanskrit उदय (udaya).

Borrowed from Japanese 夏(なつ) (natsu).

Perhaps a blend of sanitary + sanatorium. Coined by John Harvey Kellogg.

Borrowed from Sanskrit रणवीर (raṇavīra).

Borrowed from Japanese 豊(とよ)臣(とみ) (toyotomi).

Borrowed from Sanskrit दया (dayā, “pity, mercy, compassion”).

From Old English Oswine, from ōs ("god") + wine ("friend").

Eye dialect spelling of is.

From Spanish Consuela, a variant of Consuelo.

Variant of Bridget. See -ette.

Formed from "josh" (to tease) plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."

From Sanskrit ajita, "not defeated."

From Arabic وَلِيد (walīd).

A calque of Latin Libra.

Borrowed from Korean 필 (pil).

Borrowed from Korean 영 (yeong).

The name was approved in 2000, and refers to Palos de la Frontera, a town in Spain.

See the often-negative connotations of rag. Probably arose due to rag alliterating with Rangers.

Apheretic form of Husain, from Arabic حُسَيْن (ḥusayn).

From Sanskrit mohita, meaning "captivated" or "charmed."

Borrowed from Italian Bellagio.

Borrowed from Sanskrit कपिल (kapila).

Borrowed from Sanskrit चाँदनी (cā̃danī).