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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Formed from "type" plus the agent suffix "-ist," meaning "a person who does."

A variant of "stamp," first recorded in the early 1800s.

From Latin sonus, "sound," plus the adjective ending -ic.

From New Latin synapticus, based on Greek synaptikos, "capable of joining."

Formed from the phrase to stop over, made into a single noun.

From back- (meaning "toward the past") combined with story — literally the story behind the current one.

Via French and Latin from Ancient Greek gángraina, meaning "gangrene".

From Mandarin Chén (陳/陈); related to the surnames Tan, Chan, and Tran, which come from the same Chinese character in different dialects.

A compound of "bird" and "brain," playing on the old (and inaccurate) idea that birds are unintelligent.

Formed from "hide" plus "away."

From pony + tail, describing the resemblance to a horse's tail.

The male name comes from Russian Ю́рий (Júrij), a form of "George."

From French presentable, built on "present" plus the suffix "-able."

From Latin purgātōrium ("place of cleansing"), related to purge.

From "pop" (an informal word for father) plus an affectionate "-s" ending.

The order takes its name from Saint Clare of Assisi, its 13th-century founder; her own name comes from Latin clarus, "bright, clear."

From un- (\"not\") plus named.

The exact origin is disputed, but it likely comes from the Martini & Rossi vermouth brand or an earlier cocktail called the Martinez.

From Old English roots meaning "Christmas season" — literally Yule + "tide," an old word for "time" or "season."

Borrowed from Italian Paola.

Named after Dalmatia, the historical region on the Croatian coast where the dog breed is believed to have originated.

From Middle English undoinge, formed from undo plus the suffix -ing.

From Latin ferocitas, from ferox ("fierce"), ultimately from ferus, "wild, savage."

A compound of brief (in the old sense of legal or business papers) and case.