This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
etcetera
[ et-set-er-uh, ‐se-truh ]
/ ɛtˈsɛt ər ə, ‐ˈsɛ trə /
Save This Word!
This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun, plural et·cet·er·as.
a number of other things or persons unspecified.
etceteras, extras or sundries.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of etcetera
First recorded in 1375–1425; noun use of et cetera
Words nearby etcetera
etaoin shrdlu, eta particle, étape, etatism, etc., etcetera, etceteras, etch, etchant, etched in stone, etching
Other definitions for etcetera (2 of 2)
et cetera
[ et set-er-uh, se-truh ]
/ ɛt ˈsɛt ər ə, ˈsɛ trə /
adverb
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): He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets.Abbreviation: etc.
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”
usage note for et cetera
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.
how to pronounce et cetera
Pronunciations with [k] /k/ substituted for the first [t]: /t/: [ek-set-er-uh], /ɛkˈsɛt ər ə/, or [ek-se-truh], /ɛkˈsɛ trə/, although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use etcetera in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for etcetera
et cetera
etcetera
/ (ɪt ˈsɛtrə) /
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
or the like; or something else similar
Abbreviation: etc., &c
See also etceteras
Word Origin for et cetera
from Latin, from et and + cetera the other (things)
usage for et cetera
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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012