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 home + owner.

From "correction" plus the adjective suffix "-al".

From Spanish bolero, related to bola ("ball"), originally describing the dance.

From Anglo-Norman cuteler, going back to Old French coutelier ("knife-maker"), ultimately from Latin culter ("knife").

Built from contract plus the adjective suffix -ual, ultimately from Latin contractus.

From recruit plus the suffix -ment.

From un- (\"not\") plus trained.

From dodge + -er.

From Old French los, ultimately from Latin laus ("praise, glory"). It shares its root with the word "laud."

From "realistic" plus the adverb suffix "-ally."

* As a Scottish surname, from Scots cairn, describing a manmade heap or mound of stones. * As an Irish surname, from Ó Ciaráin, Anglicized as Kieran and Kearns, sometimes conflated with the Scottish above.

From Latin inhumanitas, "lack of humanity," from inhumanus plus the noun-forming suffix -itas.

Borrowed directly from Spanish "conquistador," meaning "conqueror."

From invitation + -al.

From stump + -y.

Borrowed back into French from the English oath "God damn," supposedly because English soldiers swore it so often that the French started using it as a label for them.

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

A clipped form of "regular(s)" or "regulations," shortened the way casual speech trims longer words.

From foot + locker, describing where it sits — at the foot of the bed.

From Old English culter, itself from Latin culter meaning "knife" — the same root that gives us "cutlery".

From re- ("again") plus read.

Probably connected to Portuguese milho ("millet"); early travellers often confused millet with sorghum, which is likely how the name spread.

From congression + -al.

Formed from manicure plus the -ist suffix used for people who practice a trade.