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 Hebrew Chanokh, via Greek Henokh and Latin Enoch.

Etymology tree English letter Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man Middle English -man English -man English letterman From letter + -man.

An alteration of Modred, ultimately from Latin Moderatus by way of Proto-Brythonic and Old Welsh forms.

From match plus box.

From Spanish mojito, a diminutive of mojo ("sauce"), ultimately from mojar, "to moisten."

From Pennsylvania German, related to the German word Schrank ("cupboard, wardrobe").

A reshaping of the older phrase "pick-a-back", itself likely from "pick pack", meaning to carry a pack on one's back.

From Middle English pridefulle, built from pride plus the suffix -ful.

A casual run-together spelling of "look at (it)", reinterpreted as its own word.

Borrowed via Ottoman Turkish from a Persian word ultimately from Sanskrit, meaning "teacher" — related to the word "Hoxha" as a surname.

A noun formed from the phrasal verb "hand over."

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

Borrowed from Italian Enrico.

From un- ("not") plus exploded, the past participle of explode.

From Hindi panchayat, originally meaning "a council of five," from Sanskrit roots referring to a group of respected village elders who settled disputes.

From "tele-" plus "kinetic" ("relating to motion").

From un- + inhibited.

From un- + inhabitable.

From un- + impressed.

From un- + forgivable.

From un- + focused.

From un- ("not") plus scheduled.

From un- + forgiving.

From un- ("not") plus romantic.