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

Possibly from Gaelic "Carr" or "Carra," meaning "rock" or "fort," combined with "son."

From Punic, meaning roughly "Baal is gracious" — Baal being an ancient Phoenician god.

From vital + -ly.

Coined from Greek metron ("measure") + nomos ("law, rule").

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

Variant of Jenks.

The game of asking questions is so called because the players take sides in two "clumps" or groups.

From Middle English "lug," meaning to pull or drag heavily, plus the "-ing" ending.

From upper + cut.

A clipped, informal shortening of "gossip."

An informal shortening of "totally," with a playful "-s" ending added for effect.

Inflected forms.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

A shortening of "binoculars."

A learned borrowing from Ancient Greek taxis, meaning "arrangement" or "order."

From Middle English unese, from un- ("not") plus ease; related to disease.

Clipping of construct.

Clipping of combinations.

The plant sense comes from the fruit's resemblance to small rounds of cheese.

From Latin līmes ("boundary, frontier"); a doublet of the English word limit.

* From Middle French quint, from Latin quīntus. Doublet of quintus. * (firefighting vehicle): In reference to its five functions: pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device, and ground ladders.

From Latin dominus, "lord" or "master" — the same root behind "don," "dominie," and "dominus."

From nether ("lower, beneath") + world.