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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A compound of "corn" and "fed."

From communicate + -or, echoing the Latin agent noun communicator ("sharer, partner").

From re- + traction, or from retract + -ion.

From "blaspheme" plus the agent suffix "-er," meaning "one who does."

Diminutive of Priscilla

Formed from "glamour" plus the adjective suffix -ous.

From "cultural" plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

From under- + handed.

Invented by combining the "Jo-" sound found in many anglicized Hebrew names with the "-lene" ending seen in Helene and Magdalene — the same pattern that produced Charlene, Darlene, and Marlene.

From Ancient Greek Μαῖα (Maia), also the origin of the month name "May."

From over + loading.

From un- ("not") plus sealed.

From "rivet" plus the "-ing" ending, in the figurative sense of being "fastened" to something by its interest.

From mirror (verb) + -ed (suffix forming past tenses).

Borrowed from German Belting.

Built from consensus plus the adjective-forming suffix -ual.

From collar plus the adjective-forming suffix -ed.

Formed from the verb "boost" plus the agent suffix "-er."

Borrowed from Japanese 笙 (shō).

From shoe + shine.

From cute + the noun-forming suffix -ness.

Borrowed from German Weimar.

A modern compound of "key" and "card", describing a card that does a key's job.

From development + -al.