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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Perhaps a variant of Barras.

Borrowed from Hindi माधव (mādhav), an epithet of the god Krishna.

Recorded as Rochesdone in the Domesday Book, the English village is named with the Old English personal name Hrōc, a byname from hrōc (“rook”), + -s- + dūn (“hill”).

From Arabic ṣaḥārā, meaning "deserts" — the same root as "Sahara."

Borrowed from Japanese 相良 (Sagara).

Borrowed from Italian Gotto.

Variant of McLean.

Borrowed from Hindi नगर (nagar), from Sanskrit नगर (nagara, "of the city").

From Japanese Misato.

Variant spelling of Hayes.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

From Latin Cluniacum, from Clunius.

Borrowed from Dutch Buijs.

Specific application of lowlands, due to its comparatively low altitude relative to the Highlands.

Borrowed from Spanish cabrón, a vulgar insult literally meaning "big goat."

Borrowed from Russian Я́ша (Jáša) or borrowed from Ukrainian Я́ша (Jáša).

From Middle English driere, dreyere (“one who dries”), equivalent to dry + -er (agent noun suffix).

From Sanskrit akṣaya, "undecaying" or "eternal."

Variant of Shimwell.

From Arabic sharif, "noble, honorable."

Variant of McAllister.

From Old English hrēac ("stack, pile of stones") + hām ("homestead").

Borrowed from French Fonder.

From Chinese 朴 (Piáo).