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 "sizzle" plus the agent suffix "-er."

Borrowed from Serbo-Croatian and Slovene vila, a term for this folkloric spirit.

Borrowed from German Heinrich.

From "hen" plus the diminutive suffix "-y", or a shortened form of Henrietta.

From Middle English sclabbe, of uncertain origin, possibly related to older words for a slippery or smooth piece of timber.

From inject + -or.

From "infuse" + "-er."

From Sanskrit nāyaka, meaning "leader" or "governor."

Named after the Balkan mountain range, from a Turkic word meaning "wooded mountain range."

Diminutives with -y.

Borrowed from Spanish Tijuana, possibly from Kumeyaay Tiwan (literally “by-the-sea”).

A clipped form of "Las Vegas."

Originally a trademarked name (Onesies) from the Gerber Childrenswear brand, which became a generic term over time.

From doze + -y.

From "deck" + the suffix "-er."

From doze + -er.

An imitative word first recorded around the 1940s, echoing the sound of disgust; it has recently been revived in online dating slang for "the ick".

From the Japanese surname Suzuki, also the name behind the automaker founded by Michio Suzuki.

Formed from "ragged" plus the informal ending "-y."

The place name comes from Old English brād ("broad") plus sceaga ("thicket"), giving "broad thicket"; the famous railway guide was named after its publisher, George Bradshaw.

From the given name Jemima, borrowed from Hebrew (meaning roughly "dove"); the boot sense arose by association rather than any direct link to the name's meaning.

Borrowed from French and Portuguese, ultimately from the Greek name Alexander.

The German form of Herman, from Old High German roots meaning "army man".

Coined in the early 1980s, popularized by the 1984 book The Official Foodie Handbook.