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 Old English modig ("brave, spirited"), built from mod ("mind, spirit") plus -y; the meaning drifted over time from "spirited" toward today's "prone to bad moods."

Formed from "what" plus "not," originally used as a catch-all phrase for unnamed items.

From French margarine, named after margaric acid, itself from Ancient Greek márgaron ("pearl") because of the substance's pearly sheen — coined by French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul.

From Latin regimen, "guidance, direction, rule." It is a doublet of regime.

From survive plus the ending -al, turning the verb into a noun.

From swim plus the agent suffix -er, meaning "one who swims."

From Old French truant, "beggar" or "vagabond," probably of Celtic origin — the word originally described any wandering idler, long before it narrowed to mean a school-skipper.

The -ing form of "type," used as a verb since typewriters and keyboards came into use.

Origin uncertain — possibly borrowed from the German hurra, or an altered form of huzzah.

From Old French digestif, from Late Latin digestivus.

From Old English strutian ("to stand out stiffly, swell"), from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to be puffed up."

Formed from "spontaneous" plus the adverb ending "-ly."

From "un-" + "licensed."

From overt + the adverb-forming suffix -ly.

From Middle French maigre, ultimately from Latin macer ("thin, lean").

From Old French superstitieux, from Latin superstitiosus.

From house + keeper.

From Old English idelnes, built on idle + -ness.

From inform plus the agent-noun suffix -ant.

Formed from "citizen" plus "-ship", the suffix indicating a state or condition.

From authorize plus the suffix -ation.

autobiographical

From autobiography plus the adjective suffix -ical.

From Middle French annullement, based on Latin annullare ("to bring to nothing") plus the noun suffix -ment.

Formed from "epi-" ("upon, outside") plus "dural," relating to the dura mater, the tough outer membrane covering the spinal cord and brain.