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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Built from drum plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "one who does this."

From French fleuriste, ultimately from Latin flōs ("flower").

From hot + shot.

From poly- ("many") and -graph ("writing" or "recording"), originally referring to a device that recorded several measurements at once.

From house + boat.

Borrowed from Spanish olé, a traditional shout of encouragement or approval, especially at bullfights and flamenco performances.

From mis- + carriage — literally a "wrong carrying," first applied to failed plans and later specifically to lost pregnancies.

A compound of boat and house.

From Dutch snoepen ("to pry, eat in secret").

A learned borrowing from Latin sponsor, meaning "a guarantor" — someone who stands surety for another.

From Yiddish dreydl, itself linked to a word meaning "to spin or turn."

From Latin lotio, meaning "a washing," from the verb lavare, "to wash" — the same root as "lave."

From "cock" (a rooster, seen as a strutting, self-important bird) plus the adjective-forming suffix "-y."

From pre- ("before") + view.

From Medieval Latin pagina, referring to a play performed as part of a cycle of religious mystery plays in the Middle Ages.

From huddle + the suffix -ed.

From Middle English roots meaning "to grin or stare scornfully," ultimately traced back to an Old Norse or Old English word for staring — the same ancient family that gives us "glow" and "glint."

An imitative (onomatopoeic) word representing the sound of a train.

Originally a trademarked brand name, blending "dump" with the surname "Dempster" (the company that made the bins); the trademark has since lapsed and the word is now used generically.

From nut plus the adjective suffix -y.

From Latin consulatus, "the office of consul," from consul + -atus.

Borrowed from French bulletin, ultimately built from bull ("ball," as in a wax seal) plus diminutive endings.

From Anglo-Norman aloper, "to run away," ultimately related to the verb "leap."

From rig plus the adjective/past-tense suffix -ed.