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 transliteration of Bengali মেঘনা (meghona), from মেঘ (megh, “cloud”), from Sanskrit मेघ (megha).

Derived from Punjabi ਸਿਮਰਨ (simran). Doublet of simran.

Borrowed from Latin Meto, ultimately from Ancient Greek Μέτων (Métōn).

The river name comes from Taíno by way of Spanish.

From Sanskrit सत्य (satya, "truth").

From Arabic سَادَات (sādāt), the plural of سَيِّد (sayyid, "master; Sayyid").

A clipped, informal form of "Microsoftie."

From a Hindi personal name composed of the elements धन (dhan, “wealth, riches”) and राज (rāj, “kingdom, rule, royalty”).

From Sanskrit ākāśa, meaning sky or open space.

Borrowed from Sanskrit पृथ्वी (pṛthvī, "the vast one"), an epithet for Earth.

Blend of Spurs + spud.

Abbreviation of Ootacamund, the former name of the city.

From the large quantities of onions historically grown and exported from Bermuda.

A shortened form of "beaver," used as vulgar slang.

Borrowed from Spanish Bayón.

Clipping of Raphael.

From the Arabic name of the Libyan port city, Ṭubruq.

Borrowed from Japanese 旭 (Asahi).

Borrowed directly from Danish "Kierkegaard."

Borrowed from Sanskrit अनुज (anuja, “younger brother”).

Borrowed from Portuguese João. Doublet of John.

From use + -er.

A blend of "hard" (fixed, permanent) and "subtitle."

Variant of Feeney.