et cetera

American  

[et set-er-uh, se-truh] / ɛt ˈsɛt ər ə, ˈsɛ trə /

adverb

1. and others; and so forth; and so on (used to indicate that more of the same sort or class might have been mentioned, but for brevity have been omitted): etc.

   He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets.

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et cetera British  

/ ɪt ˈsɛtrə /

1. and the rest; and others; and so forth: used at the end of a list to indicate that other items of the same class or type should be considered or included

2. or the like; or something else similar

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Pronunciation

Pronunciations with substituted for the first : , or , although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.

Usage

Et cetera , a Latin phrase, appears in English writing most frequently in its abbreviated form, etc . This phrase is used frequently in technical and business writing, somewhat less frequently in general informal writing, and sometimes in literary or formal writing. Expressions such as and so forth and and so on are useful substitutes. Because “and” is included in the meaning of et cetera , the expression and et cetera is redundant.

It is unnecessary to use and before etc as etc ( et cetera ) already means and other things. The repetition of etc, as in he brought paper, ink, notebooks, etc, etc, is avoided except in informal contexts

Etymology

Origin of et cetera

First recorded 1100–50; late Old English, from Latin et cētera, equivalent to et “and” + cētera, accusative neuter plural of cēterus “the rest of, the remainder”

Example Sentences

Fiber optic cables were lighter than copper, more of the value in GDP was in ideas not physical goods, et cetera.

From Barron's • Feb. 27, 2026

“To anyone who feels I have harmed them, hurt them, et cetera, actual or perceived, my apologies.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2025

There’s also the other challenge of defining the rules to test buy the dip — length, severity, et cetera.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 5, 2025

These associations are used to disbarring people who, say, defrauded their clients or were utterly incompetent in court over and over again, et cetera.

From Slate • Oct. 9, 2025

She wanted to tell him about Maisie and Ben and their days being numbered, et cetera, but he wouldn't understand, and what did she expect him to do?

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell