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 "assess" plus the noun suffix "-ment".

From Greek hypokritēs, originally meaning "stage actor" — someone playing a part rather than being genuine.

From "domesticate" plus the past-tense ending "-ed."

From Latin intercedere, "to go between," from inter- ("between") + cedere ("to go").

From Latin auditio, "a hearing," from audire, "to hear."

From the pronunciation of the aircraft's military designation "HU-1," later restyled UH-1 — the nickname stuck even after the official code changed.

From Old French verite, from Latin veritas ("truth").

From "rock" (to sway back and forth) plus the agent suffix "-er."

From Old English "*dingan", "to strike or beat", related to Old Norse "dengja", "to hammer".

From Latin exhaustio, built on exhaurire, "to draw out" or "empty completely."

Origin uncertain; possibly a blend of "snappy" and "jazzy."

From sour ("bad-tempered") + puss, old slang for "face" or "mouth."

From Old French ballade, originally meaning "a poem meant for dancing," from Late Latin ballare, "to dance."

From "philander," meaning to flirt or carry on casual love affairs, ultimately from Greek philandros ("fond of men"), though the English word came to describe men who chase women.

Built from "pharmacy" plus the agent suffix "-ist," ultimately tracing back to Greek roots meaning the practice of preparing drugs.

From "in-" ("not") + "gratitude."

A softened, less blasphemous-sounding alteration of "Jesus."

From an older English word "tid" meaning fond or delicate, combined with "bit," a small piece.

From Medieval Latin regentia, ultimately from Latin regens, "ruling," formed from regent plus -cy.

From "mammo-" (relating to the breast) plus "-gram" (a written or recorded image).

Likely from Low German or Dutch hoker, related to the English word "huckster," both describing a street seller.

hospitalization

Formed from hospitalize plus the suffix -ation.

From Latin praerogativa, originally "the group asked to vote first" in the Roman assembly — later came to mean any special right or privilege.

From Old French franc encens, literally "high-quality incense" — "franc" here meaning noble or pure rather than free.