Words With Old & Middle English Origins

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297 Words

1 aback Used in the phrase "taken aback": caught by surprise, startled, or momentarily thrown off guard.
2 abed In or on a bed; confined to bed.
3 abide To accept and follow a rule, decision, or agreement (used with "by").
4 aboard On or into a ship, plane, train, or other vehicle.
5 abode A place where someone lives; a home or dwelling.
6 about Concerning a particular subject; on the topic of.
7 above In a position higher than something else; overhead of.
8 abreast Side by side, facing the same direction.
9 abroad In or to a foreign country.
10 absolutely Completely and without qualification.
11 ache To feel a dull, ongoing pain rather than a sharp, sudden one.
12 Ackerman A surname of occupational origin, denoting a farmer, also a town in Mississippi, United States.
13 acknowledge To accept or admit that something is true.
14 Ackroyd An English surname of topographic origin, meaning someone who lived near an oak clearing.
15 acorn The nut of the oak tree, oval-shaped and sitting in a small woody cup.
16 acre A unit of land area equal to 4,840 square yards (about 4,047 square metres), historically the amount of land a...
17 across From one side of something to the other.
18 actually In fact; used to indicate that something is true, especially when it may be surprising.
19 adder A small venomous snake found across Europe, including Britain, marked with a dark zigzag pattern down its back...
20 ado Unnecessary fuss, bother, or commotion over something.
21 afford To have enough money, time, or resources for something.
22 afield Away from home or from a familiar starting point, often over a distance.
23 afire On fire, whether literally or as a figure of speech for strong emotion.
24 afloat Floating on the surface of water rather than sinking.
25 afoot Happening, in progress, or being planned, often secretly.
26 afore Before, in time or in position (old-fashioned or dialectal).
27 afresh Once more, from the beginning; anew.
28 aft At or toward the back (stern) of a ship, boat, or aircraft.
29 after Later in time than; following.
30 afternoon The part of the day between noon and evening.
31 afterwards At a later time; subsequently.
32 again One more time; once more.
33 against In opposition to; contrary to.
34 ago Used after a period of time to mean "before now."
35 aground Of a boat or ship, stuck on the bottom of shallow water or on the shore.
36 ah An exclamation showing relief, understanding, surprise, or realization, depending on tone.
37 aha An exclamation of sudden understanding, discovery, or realization.
38 ain A dialectal or archaic word for "own," meaning belonging to oneself.
39 Ainsley A surname of Old English origin, also used as a unisex given name.
40 ajar Slightly open, not fully shut.
41 alack An old-fashioned exclamation expressing sorrow, regret, or dismay.
42 albeit Even though; although.
43 Albright A surname of English origin, historically a variant form of Albert.
44 Alden A male given name and surname of Old English origin, also the name of several small towns in the United States...
45 alder A tree or shrub of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, often found near rivers and wet ground.
46 alderman An elected member of a city or town council.
47 Aldous A male given name and surname of Old English origin, most famously borne by the novelist Aldous Huxley.
48 Aldrich A surname of Old English origin, also used as a place name in parts of the United States.
49 Aldridge A town in the West Midlands, England, and a surname derived from it.
50 ale A type of beer, traditionally brewed without hops and fermented at warmer temperatures than lager.
51 Alfred A male given name of Old English origin, historically borne by Alfred the Great.
52 alight To get off a vehicle or dismount from an animal.
53 alike Similar or resembling one another.
54 alive Living; not dead.
55 all Every one of; the whole amount, quantity, or extent of.
56 Allison A surname and, since the 1940s, a popular female given name, a variant of Alison.
57 almighty Having unlimited power; all-powerful.
58 almost Very close to a state or amount, but not quite reaching it.
59 alone By oneself, without other people present.
60 along Following the length of something; from one end toward the other.
61 aloud Using a spoken, audible voice rather than silently.
62 already By this time, or by a specified earlier time; previously.
63 also In addition; as well; too.
64 although Despite the fact that; used to introduce a contrast or concession.
65 altogether Completely; entirely.
66 Alton An English surname and male given name, also the name of numerous towns in England and the United States.
67 Alvin A male given name of Old English origin, meaning "elf friend", also the name of several towns in the United St...
68 always At all times; on every occasion, without exception.
69 Am The first-person singular present form of "to be," used with "I."
70 amaze To fill someone with great surprise or wonder.
71 amid In the middle of; surrounded by.
72 amidst In the midst of; surrounded by (a more old-fashioned form of "amid").
73 among Surrounded by, or in the middle of, a group of people or things.
74 an The form of "a" used before a word that starts with a vowel sound.
75 and Used to join two words, phrases, or ideas that go together.
76 Anderson A Scottish surname derived as a patronymic, also used as a male given name and the name of numerous places wor...
77 Anderton An English surname of habitational origin, also the name of several villages in England.
78 anew Once again, from the beginning, or in a fresh way.
79 angler A person who fishes using a rod, line, and hook.
80 angrily In a way that shows or expresses anger.
81 angry Feeling or showing strong displeasure or hostility.
82 anon Soon; shortly (an old-fashioned or literary word).
83 another One more, in addition to what has already been mentioned.
84 answer A reply given to a question, or a solution to a problem.
85 answering The act of giving a reply.
86 ant A small insect that lives in large, highly organized colonies, usually working in groups to gather food and bu...
87 anthill A mound of soil, sand, or debris built up by ants (or termites) over the entrance to their underground colony.
88 anvil A heavy block of iron with a flat top, used by blacksmiths as a surface for hammering and shaping hot metal.
89 any Used to refer to one or some of a thing, without specifying which, especially in questions and negatives.
90 ape A large tailless primate such as a gorilla, chimpanzee, or orangutan.
91 apiece For or to each one; individually.
92 apple A round, firm fruit with red, green, or yellow skin and crisp white flesh, grown on trees.
93 aright Correctly, properly, or in the right way.
94 arise To come into being, appear, or start happening.
95 arkwright Historically, a person who made chests or cabinets (an "ark-wright").
96 arming The act of equipping oneself or others with weapons or armour in preparation for conflict.
97 Armitage An English surname, originally referring to someone who lived near a hermitage.
98 armpit The hollow under the shoulder where the arm joins the body.
99 around Positioned so as to surround or encircle something.
100 as Used to compare two things that are equal, alike, or happening at the same time.
101 ash The gray powdery residue left after something has burned.
102 ashamed Feeling shame, embarrassment, or guilt over something one has done or been associated with.
103 Ashley A given name, used for both men and women, originally taken from an English surname and place name.
104 Ashton A surname and a common English place name, found in villages and towns across England.
105 Ashworth An English surname, originally taken from a place name in Lancashire.
106 aside To one side, or out of the way.
107 ask To put a question to someone, or to request information.
108 asleep In a state of sleep.
109 aspen A type of poplar tree known for its pale bark and leaves that flutter easily in the wind.
110 astound To shock or amaze someone so much that they are left almost speechless.
111 asunder Torn or broken into separate pieces, especially violently.
112 at Indicating a specific location or place.
113 Athelstan A masculine given name and surname, historically borne by Æthelstan, the first king of a unified England.
114 Atherton An English habitational surname, and a place name for towns in England, Australia, and the United States.
115 atone To make amends for a wrongdoing or mistake.
116 Audrey A given name of Old English origin, now chiefly feminine, notably borne by actress Audrey Hepburn.
117 aught Anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word).
118 auld Old (a Scots and Northern English word).
119 available Able to be obtained, used, or accessed.
120 avenger Someone who avenges a wrong, especially by punishing the person responsible.
121 Avery A surname and a given name used for both sexes, derived from Old French.
122 awake Not asleep; conscious.
123 aware Having knowledge or realisation of something.
124 away From this place or position; to or at a distance.
125 awful Very bad or unpleasant.
126 awhile For a short time.
127 awkward Causing or feeling embarrassment or discomfort, especially in a social situation.
128 awry Turned or twisted to one side; crooked or out of the expected position.
129 Ax US spelling variant of axe: a tool with a heavy blade and long handle used for chopping wood.
130 axe A tool with a heavy blade on one side of the head and a long handle, used for chopping wood.
131 ay An exclamation of pain, dismay, or distress.
132 aye Yes (used especially in voting, formal agreement, or nautical/military commands).
133 babble To talk quickly and continuously in a way that is unclear, meaningless, or hard to follow.
134 Babcock An English surname; also a place name for small communities in the United States.
135 babe A baby or very young child.
136 back The rear surface of the human or animal body, from the shoulders to the hips.
137 backbone The column of connected vertebrae running down the back that protects the spinal cord.
138 backward Directed or moving toward the rear, or in the opposite direction to normal or expected.
139 bacon Cured, often smoked meat cut from the back or belly of a pig, typically sliced thin and fried crisp.
140 bad Of low quality, unpleasant, or unsatisfactory.
141 badger A burrowing, mostly nocturnal mammal known for its black-and-white striped face and stocky build.
142 badly In a poor, unsatisfactory, or incorrect way.
143 badness The quality or state of being bad.
144 bag A flexible container, often with an opening at the top, used to hold or carry items.
145 bagger A retail worker who packs a customer's shopping into bags at the checkout.
146 bain Archaic: willing or ready to act; also, flexible or supple.
147 Bainbridge An English surname, and a place name used for towns in England, the United States, and Canada.
148 bairn A child, especially in Scottish and northern English usage.
149 bake To cook food using dry heat in an oven.
150 baker A person whose job is to bake and sell bread, cakes, and similar goods.
151 baking The activity of cooking food, especially bread, cakes, or pastries, using dry heat in an oven.
152 bald Having little or no hair on the head.
153 balderdash Nonsense; foolish or meaningless talk.
154 baldness The state of having little or no hair on the head.
155 bale A large, tightly bound bundle of material such as hay, straw, cotton, or paper, prepared for storage or transp...
156 ball A round or roughly spherical object, especially one used in sports and games.
157 ballast Heavy material carried in a ship, balloon, or vehicle to provide stability.
158 ban To officially forbid something.
159 Bancroft A surname of English origin, also used as a place name in several English-speaking countries.
160 bane A person or thing that causes constant trouble or ruin.
161 bare Not covered by clothing, decoration, or any other covering; exposed.
162 barefoot Not wearing shoes or socks.
163 barely Only just; by the smallest possible margin.
164 bark To make the sharp, loud vocal sound typical of dogs.
165 barley A cereal grain grown for food, animal feed, and brewing beer and whisky.
166 barn A large farm building used to store crops, equipment, or house animals.
167 Barney British slang: a noisy argument or quarrel.
168 baroness A woman married to a baron.
169 barrel A large, round wooden or metal container, usually bulging in the middle, used to store liquids or other goods.
170 barrow A small cart with a single wheel, pushed by hand; a wheelbarrow.
171 Barton (British, chiefly historical) A farmyard, or the land attached to a manor house.
172 bash To hit something hard and roughly.
173 bask To relax comfortably in warmth, especially sunlight.
174 bass Low in pitch or frequency, referring to sound, voice, or instrument.
175 bast The fibrous inner bark of certain trees, such as lime, used to make rope, cord, and matting.
176 batch A quantity of something made, baked, or produced together at one time.
177 bath A large tub used for washing the whole body, or the act of washing in one.
178 bathe To wash yourself, or someone else, using water.
179 batter To hit something or someone repeatedly and violently.
180 Baxter An old word for a baker, originally referring specifically to a female baker.
181 be To exist or to have a certain identity, quality, or state.
182 beach A sandy or pebbly shore along the sea or a lake.
183 beacon A light, fire, or signal used to guide, warn, or mark a location.
184 bead A small, often round piece of glass, wood, or plastic with a hole through it, used for jewellery or decoration...
185 beal A small, inflamed swelling on the skin, such as a boil or pustule.
186 beam A long, sturdy length of wood, steel, or concrete used to support a structure such as a floor, roof, or ship d...
187 bean The edible seed of various pod-bearing plants, or the pod itself, eaten as a vegetable.
188 bear A large, heavily built mammal with thick fur, found across much of the world, ranging from mostly plant-eating...
189 bearer A person or thing that carries or holds something.
190 bearing A mechanical part that supports a moving component and reduces friction between surfaces.
191 beastly Extremely unpleasant, cruel, or disgusting.
192 beat To hit repeatedly, or to defeat someone in a contest.
193 beater A kitchen tool used for mixing or whipping ingredients.
194 beaver A large semi-aquatic rodent known for gnawing down trees and building dams with the wood.
195 beck A small stream or brook, especially in Northern England.
196 Becker A common surname originating from occupational names for a baker or a maker of mattocks/pickaxes, depending on...
197 beckon To signal someone, usually with the hand or a nod, to come closer.
198 become To start being something different; to change into.
199 bed A piece of furniture for sleeping or resting on.
200 bedchamber A bedroom (formal or old-fashioned term).
201 bedding The sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and other soft coverings used on a bed.
202 bedridden Unable to get out of bed due to illness, injury, or old age.
203 bee A flying insect that collects pollen and nectar, and in many species produces honey and wax.
204 beech A tree with smooth grey bark and oval pointed leaves, or the pale wood it produces.
205 been The past participle of "be," used to form perfect and passive verb tenses.
206 beetle An insect with hard, protective forewings that cover its flying wings.
207 befall To happen to someone, especially something unfortunate.
208 before Earlier than a particular time or event.
209 beforehand In advance; ahead of the time something is needed or expected to happen.
210 beg To ask urgently for something, often money, food, or a favor.
211 beget To father a child, or more broadly, to be the cause or origin of something.
212 beggar A person who lives by asking others for money or food.
213 begin To start doing something, or for something to start happening.
214 beginning The point or period at which something starts.
215 begrudge To resent someone having or receiving something, or to give something reluctantly.
216 behalf Used in phrases like "on behalf of" to mean acting or speaking for someone else, in their interest.
217 behave To act in a particular way, or to act properly and politely.
218 behead To cut off someone's head, typically as an execution.
219 behest A command or authoritative request, especially in the phrase "at the behest of."
220 behind At or toward the back of something, or after it in time, position, or progress.
221 behold To look at or see something, especially something impressive.
222 bein A dialect word (mainly Scots) meaning comfortable, well-off, or cosy.
223 being A living creature, especially in phrases like "human being."
224 belay In climbing, to hold and control the rope so that a falling climber is caught safely.
225 belch To release gas from the stomach out through the mouth, usually noisily.
226 belief The mental acceptance that something is true, even without complete proof.
227 believe To accept something as true without being completely certain.
228 belive Soon, shortly, or before long (archaic).
229 bell A hollow metal instrument, often shaped like a cup, that rings when struck.
230 bellman A hotel employee who carries guests’ luggage; a bellhop.
231 bellow To shout in a deep, loud voice.
232 bellows A hand-operated device that pumps a blast of air when squeezed, used to fan a fire or power an instrument like...
233 belly The front part of the body between the chest and the hips; the stomach area.
234 belong To be rightfully owned by someone.
235 beloved Dearly loved.
236 below At a lower position than; underneath.
237 bench A long seat for more than one person, found in parks, courts, or changing rooms.
238 bend To force something into a curved or angled shape.
239 bendy Easy to bend; flexible.
240 bene A prayer or humble request, especially one addressed to God (archaic).
241 beneath Directly under or below something.
242 Benson An English surname, either a habitational name from a place in Oxfordshire or a patronymic meaning "son of Ben...
243 bent Curved, folded, or twisted out of its original straight shape.
244 Bentley An English surname, originally referring to someone from a place called Bentley.
245 Benton An English surname, and the name of numerous towns across the United States.
246 Beowulf An epic Old English poem, composed roughly between 975 and 1025 AD, about a hero who battles the monster Grend...
247 bequeath To leave property or money to someone through a will.
248 bequest Property or money left to someone in a will.
249 berry A small, juicy, often sweet fruit that grows on a bush or vine, such as a blueberry or strawberry.
250 beseech To beg someone urgently and earnestly for something.
251 beset To trouble or threaten from many directions at once, especially with difficulties or dangers.
252 beside Next to; at the side of.
253 besides In addition to; apart from.
254 best Of the highest quality, or most suitable; superlative of "good."
255 bestow To give something formally or ceremonially, often as an honour.
256 bet An agreement to risk money or something else on the outcome of an uncertain event.
257 betide To happen to someone or something; to befall, especially in warnings or predictions.
258 betray To be disloyal to someone who trusts you, especially by helping their enemies or breaking a promise.
259 betrothed Formally promised in marriage; engaged.
260 better Of higher quality, more suitable, or more desirable than something else being compared.
261 between In the space, time, or range that separates two things.
262 betwixt An old-fashioned word for "between."
263 Beverley A market town in East Yorkshire, England.
264 Beverly A unisex given name, popular for girls in the US from the 1930s to 1950s, and also used as a surname.
265 bevy A group of birds, especially quail, gathered together.
266 beware To be cautious or watchful, often about a specific danger.
267 beyond Further away than, or on the far side of, a place or point.
268 bicker To argue repeatedly over small, unimportant things.
269 BID To offer a specific amount of money for something, especially at an auction.
270 bidder A person who offers a price, especially at an auction.
271 bide To wait patiently for the right moment.
272 bier A stand or frame used to carry a coffin or a dead body.
273 big Large in size, amount, or extent.
274 Bigelow An English surname, and several small towns in the United States named after it.
275 bin A container used to hold or throw away items.
276 bind To tie, fasten, or hold something together tightly, using rope, cord, a band, or similar.
277 binder A cover or folder used to hold loose sheets of paper together.
278 bing A pile or heap, especially of waste rock or ore from mining.
279 binge A short spell of doing something, especially eating, drinking, or watching something, to excess.
280 Bingham An English surname, from a town of the same name in Nottinghamshire, England.
281 Bingley A market town in West Yorkshire, England, and the surname derived from it.
282 bink (chiefly dialectal) A bench, shelf, or similar flat surface for sitting or setting things on.
283 birch A tree with thin, often pale, peeling bark, common across the Northern Hemisphere.
284 bird A warm-blooded egg-laying animal with feathers, wings, and a beak.
285 birk A dialect word (chiefly Scots/Northern English) for a birch tree.
286 birth The event of being born; the moment a baby or animal comes into the world.
287 birthday The yearly anniversary of the day someone was born.
288 bite To use the teeth to cut into, grip, or wound something.
289 bitter Having a sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweet.
290 bitterly In a bitter, resentful manner.
291 bitterness A sharp, unpleasant taste, the opposite of sweetness.
292 bittersweet Tasting of both bitterness and sweetness at once.
293 Bixby An English surname, originally denoting someone from a place named for a box tree farm.
294 blab To talk carelessly about something that should be kept private.
295 blabber To talk on and on without much sense; to ramble.
296 black Having the darkest possible color; reflecting no light.
297 blackberry A thorny shrub that produces small, dark, edible berries made up of tiny clustered segments.