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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The plural of sensibility.

From Old English āuht — the same root that gives us the modern word "aught."

Built from "drudge" (someone stuck doing dull, low-status work) plus the suffix "-ery," which names a trade or activity.

Formed from "lonely" plus the suffix "-ness."

From Middle English cartewright, a straightforward compound of "cart" and "wright" (a maker or builder of something).

From Old English "wægnwyrhta" — literally "wain (wagon) wright (maker)".

From Old French concours, from Latin concursus, from concurrere ("to run together"). Related to concur.

From Ancient Greek hagnós, meaning "pure" or "chaste"; a doublet of the name Inez.

From English appreciate + -ive.

From Arabic, literally meaning "tenth" — referring to the tenth day of the month.

From Old French ajornement, from ajourner ("to adjourn") plus the noun-forming suffix -ment.

From Old English hwītnes, simply white plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

From French réjection or directly from Latin reiectiōnem, accusative of Latin reiectiō. Displaced native Old English āworpennes (literally “thrown-out-ness”).

From Middle English redisch, from red plus the suffix -ish.

From grass + -y.

Anglicized from Welsh Gruffudd.

A patronymic surname formed from Benedict, "blessed," passed down through generations.

From park + -er, originally naming someone whose job was to look after a park or hunting ground.

Formed from the name Phillip plus the possessive/patronymic "-s."

From Harry + -son.

Borrowed from Gujarati paṭěl, "village headman," from Sanskrit paṭṭakila.

From Harry + -s (“patronymic suffix”). From Harry, a male given name derived from a Middle English pronunciation of Old French Henri.

From Old French inquisitif, from Late Latin inquisitivus, from Latin inquirere, "to inquire."

From question + -ing.