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.

Browse etymology by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Recently added

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

From Latin commendabilis, from commendare ("to commend").

From Old French irréparable, from Latin irreparabilis, from ir- ("not") plus reparable ("repairable").

From Italian dorato ("gilded, golden"), ultimately from Latin deaurare, "to gild" — a reference to the fish's shimmering color.

Formed from aesthetic plus the adverb ending -ally.

From Late Latin "Saracenus," from Ancient Greek "Sarakenos," of disputed origin — possibly linked to Arabic words for "easterners" or "plunderers."

Formed from viable plus the noun-forming suffix -ity, tracing back to French viable and Latin vita, "life."

Shortened from sidiki or sidiqi.

Formed from in- ("not") plus sensitive.

Traces back to Old French estenceler, "to sparkle," from estencele, "spark" — the link to decoration comes from the idea of dotting a surface with bright flecks of colour.

From Sanskrit sādhu, meaning "good" or "holy man."

From "declare" + "-ing."

From Old English blawung, the noun form of "blow."

From Hebrew Mikhayahu, meaning "who is like Yahweh."

From down + -wards.

Built from over- + sized.

From the surname of Franz Anton Mesmer, an 18th-century doctor whose theory of "animal magnetism" (mesmerism) is where the idea of hypnotic fascination comes from.

From un- plus settling, the present participle of settle.

From Latin parietalis, from paries ("wall").

A clipping of Latin dolor, "pain, sorrow" — the same root as "dolor" and "condolence."

From Old Irish ráth.

From Spanish ramada, itself from rama, "branch" — describing the leafy branches once used to build the roof.

Named after Otto von Bismarck, the 19th-century German chancellor — the pastry, the battleship, and the capital of North Dakota all trace their name to him.

From Aramaic via Greek, traditionally understood as meaning "house of affliction" or similar, though the exact meaning is debated.