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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Formed from the phrasal verb "work up," meaning to develop or prepare.

A combination of "work" and "force," describing the collective body of workers.

The noun is a compound of "wood" and "shed." The verb sense grew out of the idea of retreating somewhere private to practice, away from an audience.

A straightforward compound of "wood" and "cutter."

From Ancient Greek Agamémnōn, meaning roughly "very resolute" or "steadfast."

A compound of women and folk.

From re- ("again") plus convene, from Latin convenire ("to come together").

From an old sense of "rare" meaning "to rear up" — like a horse eager to charge forward.

A back-formation from "wiretapper," itself built from wire and tap in the sense of secretly connecting into a line.

From summon + the noun-forming suffix -ing.

By surface analysis, confide + -ing.

From "decent" + the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

From obliterate + -ed (suffix forming adjectives; and past tenses and past participles of regular verbs).

From striking plus the adverb suffix -ly.

From winter plus green, describing the plant's evergreen leaves.

From the medieval story of patient Griselda, a noblewoman tested by her husband's cruelty; the name likely combines Germanic roots suggesting "grey" and "battle."

From wine + the suffix -ry, denoting a place or trade.

From "rain" + "maker" — originally someone who claimed to summon rain, later extended to anyone who "makes things happen" for a business.

From the Middle English patronymic "Edi's son," ultimately from the given name Adam or Eden.

Shortened from Griselda.

From mould + -y.

From shop + the agent suffix -er.

From "un-" + "moved."

Borrowed from Latin Cornēlius.