etymology

noun
UK: /ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi/
US: /ˌetɪˈmɑːˈlɑːdʒi/

  1. The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time.

    1. The etymology of 'hello' is very interesting.
    2. Understanding the etymology of words helps in grasping their nuances and historical context.

  2. The origin and history of a particular word.

    1. I want to know the etymology of this word.
    2. The professor explained the etymology of several words derived from Latin roots.

Synonyms

derivation root source history origin

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "etymology" in English means: The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed over time., The origin and history of a particular word..

The phonetic transcription of "etymology" is /ˌetɪˈmɒlədʒi/ in British English and /ˌetɪˈmɑːˈlɑːdʒi/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "etymology": derivation, root, source, history, origin.

Example usage of "etymology": "The etymology of 'hello' is very interesting.". More examples on the page.