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 Russian ФСБ (FSB), initialism of Федеральная Служба Безопасности (Federalʹnaja Služba Bezopasnosti, “Federal Security Service”).

From emotion + the suffix -less, meaning "without."

A straightforward compound of "broken" and "hearted," describing a heart figuratively shattered by grief.

From blood + stain.

From French "basset," meaning "rather low," referring to the dog's short legs.

From "grab" plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y".

From bull + horn, attested since the 1950s.

A back-formation from the medical suffix -itis, which denotes inflammation (as in "bronchitis" or "appendicitis").

From "reach" plus the suffix "-able."

Formed from bizarre plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From "key" plus "chain", named for the physical ring that keeps keys together.

Built from the verb "daunt" (to intimidate or discourage), which came into English via Old French from Latin domare, "to tame."

From "enslave" plus the noun-forming suffix -ment.

A compound of cut and off, describing something that has been cut short or that marks a stopping point.

From custody + the adjective-forming suffix -al.

From curve + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

A 19th-century shortening of Eleanor or Ellen, later also used for any name ending in -ella, such as Gabriella or Daniella. Similar abbreviations have been formed independently in many European languages, for any name containing the syllable -el-, e.g. Elisabeth.

From criminal + -ity, following French criminalité and Latin criminalitas.

From criminal + the adverb suffix -ly.

Formed from cover plus all, describing a garment that covers the whole body.

From "fix" plus the suffix "-able," meaning "capable of."

From cosmology plus the adjective ending -ical.

Borrowed via Middle French concept from Latin conceptus, "a thought, purpose" — from concipiō, "to take in, conceive." A doublet of conceit.

From re- ("again") plus enact.