Online Etymology Dictionary
etymonline.comThe internet's go-to source for the origin and history of English words
Utilitiesetymologydictionaryenglish-languagereferenceword-historylinguistics
About
Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline) is a reference website providing detailed accounts of the origins, historical meanings, and evolution of English words, phrases, and idioms. Created in 2001 by Douglas Harper, it serves as a comprehensive etymological resource for anyone curious about the history of the English language. The site is maintained by Douglas Harper with Talia Felix as associate editor since 2021.
Problem
People lack a reliable, easy-to-access resource for understanding the historical origins and evolution of English words.
For
language enthusiasts, students, writers, and anyone curious about English word origins
How it works
Users search for English words or phrases and receive detailed etymological explanations of their historical meanings and linguistic evolution.
Business model
freemium
Status
launched
Launched
2001
Founders
- Douglas Harpersite