What it does
The Online Etymology Dictionary explains the origins and historical development of English words.
Use Etymonline when your question is where a word came from. Its homepage explicitly distinguishes word histories from definitions, so pair it with a current dictionary when you also need present-day meaning. The source list and introduction are useful starting points for understanding how the compilation was assembled before using it in a language-history project.
Strengths
- Word origins are the primary focus
- A source list describes the compilation's reference material
Watch out for
- Etymologies answer a historical question rather than replacing current definitions
Best for
- Exploring English word history
Sources
- Online Etymology Dictionary (Oct 26, 2026)