Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

etymology

Noun
/ˌɛt.ɪˈmɒl.ə.dʒi/
Definition
The study of the origin of words and how their meanings have changed throughout history.
Examples
  • The etymology of the word ‘computer’ can be traced back to the Latin word ‘computare’.
  • Understanding etymology helps in grasping the nuances of language.
Meaning
Etymology explores the history and development of words, often tracing their roots to ancient languages.
Synonyms
  • Word origin
  • Word history
  • Lexical history