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 Abram + the Russian suffix -off.

From river + dale.

Apparently from Middle English buffard (“idiot”).

From Polish kubryk (“ship's forecastle”).

A compound of stage (a stopping point on a route) and coach.

From Old English Dene (“Dane”) + Old Norse býr (“farmstead”). Compare the doublet Danby.

From Old English Dene ("Dane") plus Old Norse býr ("farmstead").

From Arabic قرية and نَقِ (naqi) meaning fortified city.

From Spanish encino.

From the surname Bull.

Diminutive + -ie

Heterographic variant of Windham.

The surname is a variant of Cox.

Borrowed from either Spanish Perón or French Péron.

From Polish Polański.

From Ukrainian соловей (solovej, “nightingale”).

Borrowed from Uyghur سانجۇ (sanju).

Two main origins: * As a Cornish surname, from karn (“cairn”), from Proto-Brythonic *karn, from Proto-Celtic *karnos. * As a French surname, from the noun charnière (“hinge, joint”). Also, from chair (“flesh”).

An Italian-style spelling of the Mongolian title Chinggis, borne by the empire's founder.

From Uyghur جىيا (jiya).

An arbitrary industry code name assigned by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries.

From edge + hill.

A compound of mill and stone, describing the stone wheel used for grinding.

From Cumbric *cayr ("fort") plus a river name *Tarras.