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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

A simple compound of "rain" and "water" going back to Old English regnwæter.

Formed from "depend" plus the suffix "-able," meaning "able to be depended on."

From excite + the adjective suffix -able.

From stud + -ed.

From string plus the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From Anglo-Norman dispensour, from Old French despenseor, from Latin dispensator. By surface analysis, dispense + -er.

Built from approach plus the suffix -able, "able to be."

From un- + prepared.

From shriek + -ing.

From Latin male ("badly") plus a form of facere ("to do"), so literally "doing bad."

From brutal plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

Inherited from Middle English swolwynge; by surface analysis, swallow + -ing.

From Middle English chauntynge; equivalent to chant + -ing.

From riddle (\"to puzzle verbally\") plus the agent suffix -er.

From un- ("not") plus disclosed, the past participle of disclose.

From drastic plus -ally.

From Japanese 舞妓 (maiko), literally "dancing child."

From home + grown.

From the Latin name Sabina, feminine form of Sabinus, referring to a member of the ancient Italian Sabine people.

From the Latin saint's name Renatus/Renata, meaning "reborn."

From Spanish Raquel, ultimately from Hebrew Rachel.

From Hebrew נָעֳמִי (no'omí), literally "my pleasantness."

From poison + the agent suffix -er.

From poach + -er, "one who poaches."