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 an Eastern Algonquian word, likely Narragansett powwaw, meaning "shaman" or "one who practices magic".

From Spanish "zarzaparrilla," likely combining a Basque-derived word for "bramble" with "parrilla" ("little vine").

From route or rout + -ed.

From entrance + -ed.

From the Gwich'in language, a shortening of a phrase meaning "white water river."

From afford plus the suffix -able, "able to be done."

Formed from sword + man, meaning literally "a man of the sword."

The feminine form of Yvon, a variant of Yves, ultimately from an old Germanic word for "yew" — the wood traditionally used to make bows.

From French Grenoble.

A compound of "after" + "shock."

From Spanish Málaga, ultimately from Phoenician, possibly related to a Semitic word for "salt."

From Hebrew הָגָר (Hagar), meaning "stranger."

From Latin aegaeus, from Ancient Greek Αἰγαῖος, possibly connected to a word for "waves."

Possibly from a Siouan word for the Arapaho people, though the exact origin is debated.

From unanimous + -ly.

From un- ("not") plus restricted.

Inherited from Middle English Wyndelsore, from Old English Windlesōra (“Windsor”, literally “bank with a windlass, winch by the riverside”), from *windel ("reel, winch"; > Middle English windel (“reel, spool”)) + ōra (“bank, shore”). See windlass.

From Anglo-Norman lou ("wolf") + -el (diminutive suffix), meaning "little wolf".

From Old French lou + -el, meaning "little wolf".

Borrowed from French Lausanne.

From French Toulouse, ultimately from Latin Tolosa, a name of pre-Roman origin.

Inherited from Middle English Angers, from Old French Angiers, from Latin Andecāvis or Andecāvōrum; the usual modern pronunciation is a refashioning after modern French Angers.

Named after Dijon, France, where the mustard style originated.

From Spanish, ultimately from the Greek name meaning "defender of man."