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 roots meaning "sea" plus "man," paralleling mermaid.

From recover plus the suffix -y, ultimately from Latin recuperare.

From back + stage — literally the space located behind the performing area of a theatre.

From "fair" (a public entertainment event) plus "ground."

From Latin formativus, "having the power to form," from formare, "to shape."

A straightforward compound of "fist" and "fight."

From Middle English forth-with, "at once," combining forth and with.

A shortened form of "pohickery," itself from the Powhatan word "pawcohiccora."

From Old English hagaþorn, literally "hedge-thorn" — the same "haw" as in "haw" (an enclosure) plus "thorn."

From Middle French définitif, from the same Latin root as "define."

From "definitive" + "-ly."

From dis- + orientation, or from disorientate plus -ion.

Coined around 1939 from juke (a roadside bar or "juke joint") plus box, replacing older names like "nickel-in-the-slot phonograph."

From foreclose, shaped by analogy with closure.

Likely an American blend of "flutter" and "hurry."

From dead plus lock, originally describing a lock that can't be moved once set.

From French décadence, from Medieval Latin decadentia, "decay" — related to "decay" and "decadent."

From please + -ed.

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

From Middle English schaped, ischaped, equivalent to shape + -ed.

Borrowed from Arabic lufa, the name of the plant.

From in- ("not") plus decent.

From Middle French inconsolable, from Latin inconsolabilis, from in- ("not") plus consolari ("to comfort").

From insert, ultimately from Latin inserere ("to put in"), plus the noun-forming suffix -ion.