Online Etymology Dictionary

What Online Etymology Dictionary actually is

Douglas Harper's etymology dictionary gives the recorded history of English words: the date each was first attested, the languages it travelled through, and how its meaning shifted along the way. Entries link straight to their root words, which is where the afternoon goes.

Why it is worth your time

Notes on meaning drift are the good part, showing how nice meant foolish, then precise, then pleasant, with a date attached to every turn.

Common questions

Is Online Etymology Dictionary free?

Yes. Online Etymology Dictionary is free and does not ask you to register or hand over an email address before you can use it.

How long does Online Etymology Dictionary take?

Clear your evening. We warned you. We file it under "Rabbit hole" — where words came from, traced as far back as evidence goes.

Does Online Etymology Dictionary work on a phone?

Yes. Online Etymology Dictionary works on a phone as well as it does on a laptop.

What kind of site is Online Etymology Dictionary?

We list it under Wiki Dives — enter for one fact, leave two hours later. Notes on meaning drift are the good part, showing how nice meant foolish, then precise, then pleasant, with a date attached to every turn.