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 French saintuaire, from Latin sanctus ("holy") — originally referring to any sacred, protected space.

From "skeleton" plus the adjective ending "-al."

From "mouth" plus "full," literally meaning "as much as fills the mouth."

From Latin domicilium, related to domus, "house."

From French incompétent, ultimately from Latin in- ("not") plus competēns ("competent, capable").

From Old French saussier, originally a dish for holding sauce, which is also the root of the word "sauce."

Formed by adding -ing to vote.

From Latin nautilus, from Greek nautilos, "sailor" — the shell's tentacled opening reminded people of a sailor rowing a boat.

Borrowed from Italian tiramisù, literally "pick me up," a nod to the espresso and sugar that give it a jolt of energy.

From Italian stravaganza, shaped in English by the influence of "extravagance."

Formed in the 1840s from ovary plus the adjective ending -an.

From Old French embleme, from Latin emblema ("inlaid ornamental work"), ultimately from Greek emblema, "something put in" or inserted.

From fever plus the adjective ending -ish.

From "mark" plus the agent suffix "-er" — literally "something (or someone) that marks."

From Latin intolerabilis, from in- ("not") plus tolerabilis ("bearable").

From Medieval Latin propulsio, from the Latin verb propello ("to drive forward").

Formed from kiss + the agent suffix -er, though the "mouth/face" slang sense developed later in informal speech.

Plural of "lyric", from Latin lyricus, ultimately from Greek lura, "lyre".

From seek + -ing.

From hopeless + -ly.

From the Old English personal name Ella + -ing (“belonging to”) + hām (“homestead”).

From Old English þistel, an old Germanic word for this prickly plant.

Formed from "peep" plus the agent suffix "-er."

From Latin mīlitāre, "to serve as a soldier" — the same root that gives us "military."