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• et
  et

  verb

  a simple past tense of eat.
• Et
  Et

  ethyl.
• -et
  -et

  a noun suffix having properly a diminutive force (now lost in many words): chalet; islet; owlet; tablet.
• e.t.
  e.t.

  abbreviation

  electrical transcription.
• E.T.
  E.T.

  abbreviation

  Eastern time.
• ET
  ET

  abbreviation

  Employment Training: a government scheme offering training in technological and business skills to unemployed people

et

¹ American  

[et] / ɛt /

verb

Nonstandard: Chiefly North Atlantic, South Midland, and Southern U.S.

1. a simple past tense of eat.

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et ² American  

[et] / ɛt /

conjunction

Latin.

1. and.

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Et ³ American  

Symbol, Chemistry.

1. ethyl.

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-et ⁴ American  

1. a noun suffix having properly a diminutive force (now lost in many words): chalet; islet; owlet; tablet.

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e.t. ⁵ American  

abbreviation

1. electrical transcription.

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E.T. ⁶ American  

Or ET

abbreviation

1. Eastern time.

2. extraterrestrial.

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ET ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. Employment Training: a government scheme offering training in technological and business skills to unemployed people

2. Egypt (international car registration)

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-et ² British  

suffix

1. small or lesser

   islet

   baronet

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Et ³ British  

symbol

1. ethyl

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et ⁴ British  

abbreviation

1. Ethiopia

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Etymology

Origin of -et

Middle English, from Old French -et (masculine), -ette (feminine)

Example Sentences

ET from the Oval Office, joined by other members of his administration.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

ET on June 1, incorrectly said the spike didn’t ease.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

ET, the S&P 500 was up 5.3% in May, driven by a remarkable rally in the information-technology sector.

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

ET on Thursday how to handle a case seeking to block the drug’s telehealth approval immediately.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

The British say ET, but we say EIGHT.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner