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 under- + belly.

Borrowed from Spanish capitán.

Formed from "plunge" plus the agent suffix "-er".

From play + pen (an enclosure).

From re- ("again") plus fuel.

Related to "scurf," originally referring to flaky skin, though the "back of the neck" sense is now the dominant one.

From scruff + -y, originally describing something flaky or unkempt-looking, like scurf on skin.

From Old English brōm ("broom shrub") plus dūn ("hill").

Formed from "old" plus the informal, affectionate suffix "-ie," the same pattern seen in words like "sweetie."

Borrowed from a West African language, likely originally from French joujou, meaning "toy."

From Middle English forefrount, equivalent to fore- + front.

A compound of "after" + "shave."

Borrowed from Russian белу́га (belúga), from бе́лый (bélyj), "white."

From do + the suffix -able ("capable of being").

From Greek gymnastes ("trainer of athletes"), rooted in gymnos ("naked").

Origin uncertain, likely linked to Old French forms meaning "damp" or "moist," blended over time with the word "must" (unfermented grape juice).

An onomatopoeia imitating the sound made when kissing.

From piss + -y.

A compound of switch and board, describing a board fitted with switching equipment.

A blend of auto- ("self") and pilot, coined for the mechanical device that steers a craft without a human at the controls.

From Middle English braynles; equivalent to brain + -less.

From broad + the verb-forming suffix -en, following the same pattern as words like "widen" and "deepen."

Borrowed from French critique, from New Latin critica, related to Latin criticus, "critical."

Formed from "dirt" plus "bag."