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 floor + board.

Formed from tender + loin, describing the loin cut prized for its tenderness.

A back-formed singular from "Beatles," the band name itself a pun blending "beat" (as in beat music) with "beetles."

A spelling variant of Kristin, from Christina, fairly popular in the latter half of the twentieth century.

A relatively recent coinage, likely inspired by Kay or Michaela, possibly modeled on the name Layla.

From Juana plus the diminutive ending -ita, roughly meaning "little Juana."

From mean (unkind) plus the informal suffix -ie, in the same pattern as "sweetie" or "softie".

From "flea" + "bag," originally describing a shabby sleeping bag or bed likely infested with fleas.

From "flat" + "foot," describing a foot without the usual arch.

Borrowed from Italian belvedere, literally "beautiful view."

Borrowed into French from the English phrase "my Lord", then re-borrowed into English as a single word.

From an old Norse word meaning "drooping sadness," related to droop.

From Old English Cumbtūn. Equivalent to combe (“valley”) + -ton (“town”).

From Old English fȳrhūs, a house built around a fireplace or furnace; the modern sense narrowed to mean a fire station.

From Hebrew, meaning roughly "ascent" or "high."

A straightforward compound of film and maker.

From French fiancé, the past participle of fiancer ("to promise, betroth").

From Old French desloiauté, built from des- + loiauté ("loyalty").

From Middle French monseigneur, literally "my lord" — a doublet of "monsieur" and "monsignor."

From in- + efficiency, from Latin efficientia.

Formed from regiment plus the adjective suffix -al.

Formed from the phrasal verb "fly over" turned into a single noun.

From freakish + -ly.

From "flawless" + "-ly."