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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Borrowed directly from Spanish adiós, itself from a Dios ("to God") — the same root idea as the French-derived "adieu."

Borrowed from French légionnaire, from légion, "legion".

From like plus the suffix -able ("able to be").

From Old English beorhtlice, from bright plus -ly.

From left plus the informal suffix -y, making a casual nickname.

From Middle Dutch/Middle English legger, related to "lie" and "lay" — originally a large book that lay permanently in one place, like a church record.

From "pogo stick," the spring-loaded jumping toy.

From re- (\"again\") plus define.

Formed from "sport" plus the adjective ending "-y."

Named by Christopher Columbus after a revered religious icon in Seville, Spain — the Virgin of La Antigua.

From "place" plus the noun suffix "-ment."

Diminutives: Clippings + -ie.

Diminutives + -ie.

A back-formed singular from the Portuguese plural réis; strictly, the correct singular form is "real."

Formed from the phrasal verb "lay away," meaning to set something aside.

Borrowed from French lavage, "washing," from laver, "to wash."

Plural of laurel, referencing the ancient Greek practice of crowning victors with laurel branches.

From launch plus the agent suffix -er.

From leak plus the adjective suffix -y, describing something that tends to leak.

From lump + the adjective-forming suffix -y.

From un- + provoked.

From Middle English lusty ("pleasant, delightful"), from lust + -y; the meaning shifted over time from "pleasurable" to "vigorous and hearty."

From late plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

A compound of "lamp" and "post," describing exactly what it is.