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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A written form of a reduction of sort of.

Originally a dialect form of "burster," later shaped by association with the verb bust. The "-buster" ending became especially popular after radio's Gang Busters and the film Ghostbusters.

A noun formed from the phrasal verb "pay back."

From Middle English Carver, Kerver, Kervor, Kervour, Kervoure, Kervere, from Middle English carver, kervere (“carver, wood-cutter, sculptor”). More at carver.

From Anglo-Norman commissionaire, from Medieval Latin commissionarius, ultimately from Latin commissio — a doublet of "commissionaire."

A nickname derived from "Michael," which became so common in Irish communities that it lent its name to various slang senses, including the drugged drink "Mickey Finn," named after a real (or legendary) Chicago bartender.

From "head" plus the suffix "-ed."

Grew out of "screw" meaning to apply pressure or coercion, evoking torture devices like thumbscrews — by the 1600s it meant being in an inescapable bind. The "drunk" sense followed later, linked to the phrase "a screw loose."

Formed from some + place.

From Old English diacon, borrowed from Church Latin diaconus, going back to Greek diakonos, meaning "servant" or "minister".

Formed from "God" and "damn" — originally a genuine plea for divine punishment on someone, now used mainly as a raw expression of emotion rather than a literal curse.

From Old French chandelier ("candle-maker"), from Latin candela ("candle").

Plural form of cop, an informal word for a police officer.

A shortened form of nicotine.

From Dutch de kooi, literally "the cage," possibly linked to the word "coy."

Canadian in origin, shortened from "decoy."

A compound of "center" and "fold" — literally the sheet folded at the center of a magazine.

From Middle English rebellious, built on rebel plus the adjective ending -ious.

multimillionaire

From "multi-" (many) plus "millionaire."

A clipped form of "calcium hydroxide" — shortened the way chemical names often get trimmed in casual or trade use.

From Middle English prophecien, partly from prophecie and partly from Old French prophecier — the verb form of "prophecy."

From "shut" plus the suffix "-er."

From Middle English sekely, built from "sick" plus "-ly".

Borrowed from Urdu کراچی (karācī) and Borrowed from Sindhi ڪراچي (karācī) / कराची, from earlier ڪولاچي (kolācī) / कोलाची, named after Mai Kolachi.