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 Middle English Marion, from Old French Marion, a diminutive of Marie, used in England since the Middle Ages.

From the Spanish and Portuguese name Pedro, from Latin Petrus, ultimately from Greek petros, "stone" — a relative of the English name Peter.

Borrowed from German Senden, a municipality of North Rhine-Westphalia, or a pet form of Alexander.

From Middle French courtisane, from Italian cortigiana (feminine of cortigiano, "courtier"), ultimately from "court."

Borrowed from Italian, taken from the surname of a photographer character in Federico Fellini's film La Dolce Vita.

From wing (a formation in flight) + man.

Related to the word "gear," suggesting old associations with coarse or rough material.

From fire and storm.

From un- + intended.

Past participle of betroth, from Middle English, built from be- + trouthe ("truth, pledge") — literally "to pledge one's truth to."

From catch plus phrase, reflecting the idea that the phrase "catches on" in people's minds.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Named after John Mules, the farmer who invented the procedure.

From Old French deliverance, built from deliver plus the noun ending -ance.

Borrowed from Persian کوکو (kuku).

From reform plus the agent suffix -er.

From Old English oferwyrċan, "to overwork," formed from over- + work.

From care + giver — literally "one who gives care."

From Hebrew, referring to the father of one of King David's officials mentioned in the Old Testament.

From Hindi पूनम (pūnam), meaning "full moon."

From Hindi सूरज (suraj, "the sun").

From Sanskrit "kirana," meaning a ray or beam of light.

From Old French closure, going back to Latin claudere, "to close" — a doublet of "clause" and "cloture."