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 prowl plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "one who prowls."

From French "lucidité," ultimately from Latin "luciditas."

Borrowed directly from Japanese soba, the word for buckwheat.

From Latin Gallaecia, named after the Gallaeci, a Celtic tribe who lived in the region.

From Old French narracion, from Latin narratio, built on the verb "to narrate".

From replace plus -able.

From Middle English smorther, related to Old English smorian ("to suffocate, choke"), from a Proto-Germanic root also linked to "smoke."

A shortened form of "corticosterone," itself built from Latin cortex ("bark," referring to the adrenal cortex) plus Greek-derived chemistry terms.

From Middle English unspekable, equivalent to un- + speakable.

From Latin indulgens, present participle of indulgere ("to be lenient").

From Latin insistens, present participle of insistere ("to stand upon, persist").

From Latin "seclusio," from "secludere" ("to shut off, separate").

Clipping of sorority, like frat from fraternity.

From the Polish royal and saint's name Kazimierz, of Slavic origin meaning roughly "one who proclaims peace".

Origin uncertain — possibly from the Old English personal name Bera, or from a word meaning "grown with barley."

From un- (\"not\") plus welcome.

From house + maid.

Borrowed from Amharic taj, meaning "honey wine, mead".

From "hand" + "written."

From French "marquise," originally meaning a large officer's tent, itself linked to the word for a marchioness.

From Anglo-Norman conspiratour, related to conspire.

Formed from solve + the agent suffix -er.

From Latin litigatio, from litigare ("to dispute, go to law").

From "woo" plus "-ing," forming the noun from the verb.