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 Danish kringle, tracing back to Old Norse kringla, meaning "ring" or "circle" — a nod to the pastry's twisted, looped shape.

From Worcester in England.

Borrowed from Italian Bianchi.

Borrowed from Italian Vivaldi.

A shortening of "Corvette".

From the Italian surname Versace, taken by the fashion house's founder.

Borrowed from French Renault, itself derived from Proto-Germanic *Raginawaldaz.

Borrowed from Italian Puccini.

French pasteur, "shepherd". Doublet of Pastore.

From the surname of the Michelin family, the French tyre manufacturers who launched the Michelin Guide in 1900 to encourage road trips (and tyre sales); it later became the world's most famous restaurant rating system.

From Latin Longobardus, the same root as Lombard.

Two main origins: * Borrowed from Italian Lando, a patronymic surname from a personal name of Germanic origin. * Borrowed from Hungarian Landó, a pet form of the personal name Lándor.

From Hebrew נועם, meaning "pleasantness."

Borrowed from Italian Falcone.

From German Escher.

A French surname, borrowed into English usage mainly through the fame of the composer.

Borrowed from Italian Ceci.

Named after Caravaggio, the town in Italy his family came from.

Named after the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli, on the idea that anyone chosen for the game should be at least as famous as he was.

Borrowed from Spanish Figueroa, itself from Galician Figueroa.

Borrowed from Spanish Cervantes; see there for more.

Borrowed from Portuguese Pereira.

From Italian Armani.

Short form of names ending in -rina, such as Katrina and Marina; also borrowed independently from Italian.