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 French risible and directly from Late Latin rīsibilis, from Latin rīsus (“laughter”) + -ibilis, from the perfect passive participle of rīdeō (“laugh”).

From Latin resultāns, present participle of resultō.

From rip + tide.

From re- + stripe.

From ragman roll (“long list; catalogue”). Recorded since c1736.

From root + -able.

A variant spelling of Rihanna, from Arabic رَيْحَانَة (rayḥāna, singulative of رَيْحَان (rayḥān, “basil; myrtle”)). This spelling possibly influenced by unrelated Welsh names such as Rhiannon.

From rivet + -er.

From round + -er + -s, presumably for the circuit that batters make around the field.

From retro- + virology.

From French retoucher.

From Latinized form of Ancient Greek ῥαψῳδῐκός (rhapsōidĭkós).

From Middle French révulsif.

From Latin Rhenus (“Rhine”), + -ium.

From rope + way.

From rotor + craft.

From Rif + -ian.

From Middle English roundly, roundely, roundliche, equivalent to round + -ly.

Blend of rizz + riddler, coined in reference to the Riddler character from DC Comics.

From roust + about.

From road + -man.

From rocket + -man.

Ultimately from a Semitic language. Compare Arabic رَتَم (ratam), Biblical Hebrew רותם

From Middle English rightnesse, riȝtnesse, rihtnesse, from Old English rihtnes, rehtnis, from Proto-West Germanic *rehtanassī (“rightness, justice”), equivalent to right + -ness. Cognate with West Frisian rjochtens (“rightness”), Middle Dutch rechtenesse (“rightness, justification”), Old High German rehtnissa (“justice”).