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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Diminutive + "-ie."

From French Léonie, from Latin Leonia, feminine of Leonius, derived from leo (“lion”).

From Latin leo ("lion"), via the masculine name Leon, feminised as Leona.

Formed from maniacal plus the adverb suffix -ly.

From "heart" + "breaker" — someone or something that "breaks" hearts, whether romantically or through crushing disappointment.

From angio- ("vessel") + -gram ("something written or recorded").

Past participle of fray, from Old French froiier, "to rub against," ultimately from Latin fricare, "to rub."

From French intendant, "one who has charge of, superintends."

A feminine form of Bernard, from Germanic elements meaning "bear" and "brave".

From Brice plus -son.

From Old English brād (“broad”) + ēage (“eye”) and brād (“broad”) + ēġ (“island”); or from Irish Ó Brádaigh.

From Old English heg ("hay") plus denu ("valley") — originally a place name before it became a personal name.

From jade + -en.

Invented at the end of the 20th century by American parents who wanted to combine the initial "J" with the fashionable sound of Aidan, Braden, Caden and Hayden. It has been unisex from the very beginning because it resembles both Jay and Jade.

From Italian Arianna, from Ancient Greek Ἀριάδνη (Ariádnē).

From Old English befer ("beaver") and lēah ("clearing" or "meadow") — literally "beaver clearing."

From breast + feeding.

From "freed" plus "man."

A stylized spelling based on Arabic شَكِيل (šakīl), meaning "handsome."

Borrowed from a term in Pakistani regional languages for this traditional dispute-settlement practice.

Borrowed directly from French lotte, referring to the same fish.

From Old English pudd, "ditch," via Middle English podel.

From grove + -er.

Possibly from the French place name Douai, or from Welsh Dewi (a form of David).