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 fanatic + -ism, following the same pattern as "heroism" or "criticism."

Formed from "alternate" plus the agent suffix "-or."

Named after Philip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, who is said to have commissioned the first sofa of this design in the 18th century.

From "savage" plus the adverb ending "-ly."

From sharp plus the agent suffix -er.

From Latin Sparta, from Greek Spartā, the ancient city's own name.

The dance and several US cities are named after Charleston, South Carolina, itself named for King Charles II of England.

Formed from suffer plus the agent suffix -er.

From diagonal + -ly.

From sub- ("below") plus standard.

From Old English unwriten, from un- (\"not\") plus written.

From stroll plus the agent suffix -er.

From Old English hearpere, literally "one who harps," from harp plus the "-er" agent suffix.

From Middle English buttry, from butter plus -y — though the storeroom sense actually traces to the same root as "bottle," not butter, despite the similar spelling.

From Old French Carles li Magnes ("Charles the Great"), from Latin Carolus Magnus.

A compound of bank and roll, originally describing a literal roll of banknotes carried instead of a wallet.

From Latin Pilatus, a Roman family name literally meaning "armed with javelins," from pilum ("javelin" or "pestle").

From the ancient city's name, traced through Greek and Hebrew back to a Biblical Hebrew place-name.

From annoying plus the adverb suffix -ly.

Possibly from Wolof daqaar ("tamarind").

A combination of "corps" and "man".

Named after James W. Denver. The surname Denver ultimately derives from Old English Dene-fær ("crossing or passing of the Danes"), from Dene + fær; or alternatively from den-ōfer ("valley-bank"), from denu + ofer.

From French la rivière boisée, "the wooded river" — early French trappers named the area after the trees along the riverbanks.

From contend + the agent suffix -er.