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 the Old English personal name Gip, genitive case Gipes + Old English wīċ (“port, bay”).

From "news" plus "room."

From dramatic plus the adverb-forming suffix -ally.

From irrational plus the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."

Built from innocent plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From "blame" plus the suffix "-less," meaning "without."

From un- plus determined.

A compound of "farm" and "land."

irresponsibility

Formed from irresponsible plus -ity, or from ir- plus responsibility.

From Italian bella donna, "beautiful lady," because women once used drops made from the plant to make their pupils look larger and more attractive.

From Latin irritabilitas, formed from irritable plus -ity.

From Latin ēvocātīvus, related to ēvocāre, "to call forth" — the same root as "evoke."

From Christmas + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From Spanish Luis (and Portuguese Luís), both cognates of Louis and Luigi.

From the phrase "handbags at dawn," a joking reference to a fight that's all bluster and no real violence, likened to two people swinging handbags rather than fists.

Borrowed in the 19th century from French revenant, "coming back", from revenir, "to return" — the same root that gives us "revenue".

Named after Edward C. Pulaski (1866–1931), the American forest ranger who invented the tool.

Deverbal from burn out.

From in- ("not") + destructible.

From French cotillon, literally "petticoat" — named after the dance's habit of revealing the petticoat as dancers moved.

From rash + -ly.

From impossible + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Latin impositio, related to impose.

Borrowed from French impressionniste.