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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From geographic + -ally or geographical + -ly.

From Late Latin conclusivus, from conclūdere ("to conclude").

From conceive plus the suffix -able, meaning "able to be conceived (of)."

unpredictability

From unpredictable + -ity.

From contingent + the noun-forming suffix -y, tracing back to Latin contingere ("to happen, to touch upon").

From Old French "conquereor," ultimately from "conquerre," the source of "conquer."

From Middle English conveiance, conveyaunce, equivalent to convey + -ance.

From critical + -ly.

From an older form crymble, related to "crumb" with a diminutive ending.

From dream plus -y.

From electric + -ally, electrical + -ly.

By surface analysis, emerge + -ing.

From Middle English felowschipe, built from "fellow" plus "-ship" — the state of being fellows together.

From Middle English floring, related to floor.

From "flower" plus the adjectival suffix "-y."

From fore- + arm.

From frank + -ness.

From Middle English gentilnesse, formed from gentle plus the noun-forming suffix -ness.

From Old English flicorian ("to flutter"), related to Old English fleogan ("to fly").

From Middle English glimeren, formed from an old root meaning "to shine" plus a suffix showing repeated action — a doublet of glimpse.

Origin uncertain; possibly from the five fingers used to strike the ball.

From graceful plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From appropriate plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Ancient Greek harmonikos ("skilled in music"), from harmonia, "harmony."