Etymology Dictionary — Discover the Origin of Any Word
Type any English word to trace its history — the chain of languages it passed through, from Proto-Indo-European roots to today. Sourced live from Wiktionary, free, no sign-up.
How to use the etymology dictionary
Type an English word and select Trace Origin. The tool reads the word's entry on Wiktionary, pulls its etymology, and lays out the origin as a chain of ancestor languages — newest on the right, oldest root on the left. Where a word has more than one origin story, each is shown in turn. Use the base form of a word (for example run rather than running) for the fullest history.
How to read a word's origin chain
Most English words are borrowed or inherited, passing through several languages before reaching modern English. A typical chain runs from a reconstructed Proto-Indo-European root, through Ancient Greek or Latin, into Old English or Old French, then Middle English, and finally today's spelling. Each link in the chain names the language and the earlier form of the word, so you can see exactly how meaning and spelling shifted over time.