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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Borrowed from the Japanese word katsura, referring to the tree.

Formed by treating the colloquial phrase "got" (as in "have got") as if it were a present-tense verb needing its own conjugation.

As a given name, borrowed from the Hawaiian word lani, meaning "sky" or "heavenly."

Formed from Shawn plus the feminine suffix -a.

From Middle English kag, borrowed from a North Germanic source related to Old Norse kaggi and Swedish kagge, all meaning "keg."

The Irish sense comes from a (a vocative particle) plus a softened form of grá, meaning "love."

A blend of sex and texting.

Named after the Kur River.

From the common Italian first name Gino, generalised into a slang label for a stereotype.

From the phrase "wig out" plus the "-y" adjective ending.

From "hatch" plus the agent suffix "-er."

Named after the English town of Henley-on-Thames, where rowers traditionally wore this style of shirt.

Probably a child's simplified pronunciation of "brother," related to "bub."

From a Middle English short form of Patrick + -son.

From French Gervais, from Latin Gervasius.

A surname derived from a Middle English form of Gervase.

From the Latin Gervasius, the name of an early Christian saint; its deeper meaning is uncertain but it likely includes a Germanic root for "spear."

Back-formation from Darlene

As an English surname, from a pet form of Cassandra; as an Irish surname, from Ó Cais, related to cas meaning "curly".

A compound of lock + box.

From the Ancient Greek name Eukleidēs.

Formed from school plus the agent suffix -er.

Originally a trademarked brand name for expanded polystyrene foam, now used generically for the material.

From bay + side.