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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

Formed from light + man, naming the person in charge of lighting.

Derived from Sanskrit कर्ण (karṇa, “Karna”). Doublet of Karna.

From "de-" plus "line".

From the Korean 고구려 (Goguryeo).

From Vietnamese Việt Cộng, a shortened form of Việt Nam Cộng sản ("Vietnamese communists").

From Old English gōd ("good") and wine ("friend").

Variant spelling of Neil, anglicised form of Goidelic/Irish Niall.

Anglicized from Welsh "ap Rhisiart" ("son of Richard").

From a medieval diminutive of the given name Walter + the patronymic suffix -s.

From Owen + -s (patronymic suffix).

From the given name Stephen + the patronymic suffix -s.

From Walter + -s.

From a medieval form of Nicholas plus the patronymic ending -s.

From Nichol, a medieval form of Nicholas, plus the patronymic ending -s.

From Rob + -son.

From Nicholas plus -son ("son of"). It shares its roots with the surname Nielsen.

From Piers, the medieval vernacular form of Peter.

Formed from rod plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From Middle English keler, formed from "keel" plus the agent suffix "-er."

From Middle English webbere, webber; equivalent to web + -er.

From Dutch kreng ("a carcass"), related to Old English cringan ("to fall, yield").

From Old English fyniġ ("moldy"), related to the verb "vinew."

From Spanish Monterrey, from monte ("mountain") plus rei ("king").

From Latin Carthāgō Nova, "New Carthage," of Punic origin.