etymology

American  

[et-uh-mol-uh-jee] / ˌɛt əˈmɒl ə dʒi /

noun

etymologies plural

1. the derivation of a word.

   Synonyms:

   origin, derivation

2. a chronological account of the birth and development of a particular word or element of a word, often delineating its spread from one language to another and its evolving changes in form and meaning.

3. the study of historical linguistic change, especially as manifested in individual words.

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etymology British  

/ ˌɛtɪməˈlɒdʒɪkəl, ˌɛtɪˈmɒlədʒɪ /

noun

1. the study of the sources and development of words and morphemes

2. an account of the source and development of a word or morpheme

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudoetymological
  adjective
• etymologically
  adverb
• unetymologic
  adjective
• unetymologically
  adverb
• unetymological
  adjective
• pseudoetymologically
  adverb
• etymologic
  adjective
• subetymology
  noun
• etymologist
  noun
• etymological
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• etymologies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of etymology

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin etymologia, from Greek etymología, equivalent to etymológ(os) “studying the true meanings and values of words” ( étymo(s) “true” + lógos “word, reason”) + -ia noun suffix; see etymon, -y ³

Explanation

Since you're reading this, then you probably have some interest in etymology, because it's the study of the history and derivations of words. What genealogy is to a family, etymology is to words. A genealogist studies the history of a family. A person who studies etymology does the same thing with words. Etymology looks at the roots of words — for example, whether they started out as Latin, Greek, or as some other language — and how they took on their current meaning. When you learn that the -logy part of etymology almost always means "the study of," that is, in itself, etymology.

Example Sentences

Adam Aleksic, a linguist who posts online as Etymology Nerd, says locking in's origins aren't certain but its use appears to have begun in the early 2000s - particularly in the African American community.

From BBC • Nov. 29, 2025

Etymology is the study of how the root of a particular word entered a language and how the use of the word evolved over time.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Forming a Text-Book of Etymology, with Definitions and the Pronunciation of each word. 16mo, $1.00.

From The Education of American Girls by Brackett, Anna C. (Anna Callender)

She is also represented with her foot on the head of a serpent, according to Davie's "Universal Etymology."

From The World's Sixteen Crucified Saviors Or, Christianity Before Christ by Graves, Kersey

Etymology of each word is given after the meanings, within brackets.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various