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 "strategy" plus the agent suffix "-ist," ultimately tracing back to Greek roots for a military commander.

From "slick" plus "-er."

A clipped, informal form of "electronic."

A compound of "head" and "board."

From in- ("not") + subordinate, modeled on French insubordonné.

Borrowed from German Pauli.

From Old English upp (“up”) + tūn (“enclosure; settlement, town”).

Borrowed from Italian Silvio.

From Latin sterilitas, built on sterilis ("barren").

From Medieval Latin incidentia, "a falling upon," from Latin incidere, "to fall upon" (in- + cadere, "to fall").

From nutrition plus -ist, "a person who".

From Old East Slavic Ólĭga, a form of Helga, from Old Norse heilagr ("holy").

Diminutive of Russell.

The feminine form of Theodore, from Greek elements meaning "god" and "gift".

From the French Adrienne, the feminine form of Adrien (equivalent to English Adrian).

Borrowed from Portuguese and Spanish Felipe.

Borrowed from Italian Francesca (“Frances”), the feminine form of Francesco (“Francis”), from Late Latin Franciscus, from Francia (“France”) + -iscus (“-ish”). Doublet of Frances.

From French Gustave. French form of Swedish royal name Gustav; see Gustav for more.

From Jean + -ie, q.v. Doublet of Ivanka, Jan, Janelle, Janet, Janey, Janine, Jeanette, Jeannette, Jeannine, Jen, Jenna, Jenny, Jessie, Jo, Jody, Juanita, Shanae, Sinead, and Vanna.

From supreme + -ly.

Borrowed from Biblical Hebrew אֱלִישָׁע (ʾĔlîšāʿ).

From Old French Elaine, a variant of Helen, ultimately traced back to the Ancient Greek name Helénē.

A medieval spelling of "Julian," brought back into use by the novelist John Galsworthy in his Forsyte Saga.

Borrowed from German Haydn.