Word archive
Every word played on Etymo, with where it came from. A word appears here the day after it is played.
A
33 words- abseilTo descend using a rope.
- acrobatA performer of skilled physical feats.
- acronymAn abbreviation that can be read as a word, such as NATO.
- acropolisThe elevated fortified part of an ancient Greek city.
- admiralA senior naval commander.
- aftermathConsequences, or the period following an event.
- algebraMathematics in which letters stand for quantities.
- alligatorA large aquatic reptile with a broad snout.
- almondAn edible kernel commonly eaten as a nut.
- amateurSomeone who pursues an activity without being a professional.
- amethystA purple gemstone.
- anagramA word or phrase made by rearranging another’s letters.
- anarchyAn absence of governing authority; also a political ideal.
- anatomyThe study of how living bodies are structured.
- anchorA device used to hold a vessel in place.
- anemometerAn instrument used to take weather measurements.
- angiospermA member of the flowering-plant group.
- antipodeA place on the opposite side of the globe; an exact opposite.
- antonymA word whose meaning contrasts with another word.
- apocalypseA great disaster; also a revelation.
- apricotA small orange-coloured stone fruit.
- aqueductA channel or structure that carries water.
- arachnophobiaAn intense fear associated with a particular group of animals.
- aristocracyAn elite social class, or government by that class.
- artichokeA plant whose flower head is eaten as a vegetable.
- artificialMade by humans; sometimes imitation or insincere.
- asphaltA dark material used in paving and waterproofing.
- atomA particle of a chemical element.
- aubergineThe vegetable also called an eggplant.
- autobiographyA written account of the author's own life.
- autopsyAn examination of a body after death.
- awfulExtremely bad or unpleasant.
- awkwardClumsy, uncomfortable or embarrassing.
B
21 words- bagelA ring-shaped bread roll.
- balletA theatrical form of dance.
- bargainAn agreement or a purchase obtained on favorable terms.
- barnA farm building used for storage or shelter.
- barometerAn instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure.
- beefThe meat of cattle.
- belfryA tower or chamber that houses bells.
- bibliographyA list of writings or the study of books as objects.
- biologyThe scientific study of living things.
- biscuitA baked food: a crisp snack or a small soft bread, depending on usage.
- bishopA senior officeholder in some Christian churches.
- blitzkriegA swift, concentrated military offensive.
- bombastPompous or inflated speech and writing.
- bonfireA large fire built outdoors.
- braveCourageous in the face of difficulty.
- bridegroomA man who is about to marry or has just married.
- broadcastTo transmit material to a wide audience.
- buccaneerA pirate, especially one associated with the Caribbean.
- bullySomeone who intimidates or mistreats people who are vulnerable.
- butterA dairy food made by churning cream.
- buxomFull-figured; historically also lively or hearty.
C
46 words- calligraphyThe art of beautiful handwriting.
- candidateSomeone seeking an office or position.
- candleWax or another fuel around a wick that burns to give light.
- carawayAn aromatic plant whose dried fruits are used as a spice.
- cardamomA fragrant spice obtained from seed capsules.
- carnivalA public celebration or festival.
- carrotA vegetable commonly grown for its orange root.
- cashewAn edible nut and its tropical tree.
- caterpillarThe larval stage of a butterfly or moth.
- caviarSalted fish roe served as a food.
- celeryA vegetable grown for its crisp edible stalks.
- centipedeA many-legged arthropod.
- centripetalAn adjective used for a direction in motion.
- chairA seat designed for one person.
- chamberA room or enclosed space.
- checkmateA chess position in which the threatened king cannot escape.
- cherryA small stone fruit, or the tree that bears it.
- chessA strategic board game with kings and other pieces.
- chiffonA light, sheer fabric.
- chocolateA food made from roasted cacao seeds.
- chronologyThe arrangement or dating of events.
- churlA rude or ill-mannered person.
- cinnamonAn aromatic spice made from tree bark.
- cipherA system of secret writing, or a message written in it.
- circumferenceThe length of a circular boundary.
- circumspectAn adjective describing a cautious approach.
- cloudA visible mass of droplets or ice particles in the sky.
- clueSomething that helps solve a mystery.
- clumsyAwkward in movement or handling things.
- coachA person who trains a team; also a passenger vehicle.
- companionSomeone who accompanies or spends time with you.
- computerA programmable device that processes information.
- copperA reddish metal used in wiring and other goods.
- corianderAn herb whose dried fruits are used as a spice.
- cosmopolitanInternational in outlook or made up of people from many places.
- cottonA soft plant fibre spun into thread and cloth.
- coyShyly reserved or reluctant to reveal something.
- coyoteA wild North American member of the dog family.
- cravatA cloth worn around the neck.
- crocodileA large aquatic reptile with powerful jaws.
- crownA head ornament used as a sign of rank or rule.
- crystalA solid with an ordered internal structure; especially clear quartz.
- cucumberA long green fruit commonly served as a vegetable.
- cuminAn aromatic spice made from small seeds.
- cushionA soft pad for sitting or resting against.
- cynosureA focus of attention, or something that guides.
D
12 words- daisyA flower with a central disk and a ring of petals.
- damsonA small dark plum.
- dandelionA common yellow-flowered plant with deeply notched leaves.
- deerAn animal such as a stag or doe.
- demagogueA political leader who appeals to emotion and prejudice.
- democracyA system of government involving rule by the people.
- diamondAn exceptionally hard crystalline form of carbon.
- dinosaurA member of the great reptile group that includes the birds.
- diplodocusA large, long-necked plant-eating dinosaur.
- disasterA catastrophic or deeply unfortunate event.
- dizzyFeeling unsteady or as if things are spinning.
- doomAn unavoidable destructive fate.
E
9 words- eagerKeen to do or experience something.
- earwigA small insect with a pair of pincers at its rear.
- emeraldA green gemstone.
- endoscopeAn instrument used to examine parts of the body.
- enthusiasmStrong interest and excitement.
- equivocalAn adjective used of an ambiguous statement or sign.
- etymologyThe study of words’ origins and development.
- eucalyptusA mostly Australian group of evergreen trees.
- euphonyA quality valued in the sound of prose or verse.
F
5 wordsG
10 words- garbleTo distort a message or make it confused.
- garlicA pungent bulb used to flavour food.
- geographyThe study and description of places on Earth.
- geologyThe study of Earth and its physical history.
- geyserA spring that periodically erupts with hot water.
- gingerAn aromatic plant whose underground stem is used as a spice.
- giraffeA long-necked African mammal with a patterned coat.
- gospelThe Christian message, or something accepted as unquestionable truth.
- gossipInformal talk about other people’s affairs.
- guitarA stringed instrument with a fretted neck.
H
13 words- helicopterAn aircraft lifted by rotating blades.
- herbivoreA term used to classify an animal by its diet.
- hierarchyAn arrangement of people or things in ranks.
- hieroglyphA character in a picture-based writing system.
- hippodromeA course or arena associated with horse racing.
- hippopotamusA large African mammal that spends much of its time in water.
- holidayA day of celebration or freedom from ordinary work.
- homonymA word that shares its spelling or pronunciation with another word of a different meaning.
- houndA dog, especially one used for hunting.
- husbandA male partner in a marriage.
- hussyAn insulting term directed at a woman.
- hustingsThe proceedings or setting of an election campaign.
- hydrophobiaAn aversion to water; also a historical name associated with rabies.
I
5 wordsJ
1 wordK
7 words- karaokeSinging along to a recorded instrumental track.
- karateA martial art using strikes and kicks.
- kimonoA long, wide-sleeved robe secured with a sash.
- kindergartenA school or class for young children.
- kitchenA room or area used for preparing food.
- kleptomaniaA compulsive behavior.
- knaveAn old-fashioned word for a dishonest man.
L
10 words- lampA device that gives light.
- landgraveA title historically held by certain German nobles.
- landscapeVisible scenery or the character of an area.
- larderA place where food is kept.
- lavenderAn aromatic plant whose name also denotes a pale purple.
- lemonA yellow citrus fruit with sour juice.
- lettuceA leafy vegetable often eaten in salads.
- lewdObscene or indecent.
- lordA title associated with rank or authority.
- luxuryGreat comfort, or something enjoyable beyond basic necessity.
M
22 words- mammothAn extinct elephant; also something enormous.
- manufactureTo make goods, often using machinery.
- marbleA stone used in buildings and sculpture, often polished.
- mattressThe padded or sprung part of a bed.
- meatAnimal flesh used as food.
- medlarA fruit and the tree that bears it.
- megalomaniaAn extreme attitude toward personal status and power.
- mermaidA legendary creature with a woman's upper body and a fish's tail.
- merryCheerful or festive.
- metropolisA major city or principal urban centre.
- microscopeAn instrument that makes tiny details visible.
- midwifeA person who assists in childbirth.
- mintAn aromatic herb used for flavoring.
- misanthropeSomeone who dislikes or distrusts humankind.
- monarchyGovernment headed by a monarch.
- mondayA weekday.
- mortgageA loan secured against property.
- mosquitoA small flying insect familiar for its bites.
- multilingualAn adjective describing language use.
- muscleBody tissue that contracts to create movement.
- mushroomA fungus with a familiar stalk-and-cap shape.
- mustardA sharp condiment made from crushed seeds.
N
7 words- naughtyMischievous or badly behaved.
- necropolisA large burial ground, especially an ancient one.
- neighborSomeone who lives nearby.
- nervousAnxious or easily unsettled.
- nicePleasant, agreeable, or kind.
- nicknameAn extra or familiar name for someone or something.
- nostrilOne of the paired openings used in breathing.
O
11 words- octopusA marine mollusc with eight arms.
- officiousIntrusively eager to offer unwanted help or advice.
- ointmentA salve applied to the skin.
- oligarchyA form of government.
- ombudsmanAn official who investigates complaints.
- onionAn edible bulb with a strong flavor.
- orangeA citrus fruit; also the name of a colour.
- origamiThe art of folding paper into shapes.
- ornithologyA branch of zoology.
- orthodoxConforming to established beliefs or practices.
- orthographyThe conventions of spelling and writing a language.
P
30 words- pachydermAn older grouping term applied to animals such as elephants and rhinoceroses.
- pajamasClothes worn for sleeping or lounging.
- panoramaA sweeping view of a scene.
- paperA sheet material used for writing and wrapping.
- paradoxA statement or situation that seems contradictory.
- parsleyAn herb whose leaves are used in cooking.
- patheticPitifully inadequate; also capable of arousing pity.
- pavilionA tent or a sheltered building used for gatherings or recreation.
- peachA soft, juicy stone fruit.
- pedigreeA record of ancestry.
- pentagonA polygon with five sides and five angles.
- pepperA sharp-tasting spice, such as black pepper.
- philanthropyConcern for human welfare, often expressed through giving.
- philosophyInquiry into knowledge, existence, value, and reasoning.
- photographAn image made by recording light.
- pigeonA plump-bodied bird often seen in towns and cities.
- pillowA soft support for the head when resting.
- pioneerSomeone who opens a new field of activity or development.
- plumA smooth-skinned fruit with a stone inside.
- poisonA substance that can injure or kill through its chemical action.
- polyglotSomeone who knows several languages.
- polygonA closed plane figure with straight sides.
- pomegranateA fruit with many juicy seeds.
- porcupineA rodent with sharp protective quills.
- prestigeHigh standing or influence in other people's eyes.
- prettyAttractive or pleasing in appearance.
- pseudonymAn assumed name used instead of one’s ordinary name.
- psychologyThe study of mind and behaviour.
- pterodactylA name used for certain extinct flying reptiles.
- purseA small bag or container used for money or personal items.
Q
1 wordR
7 words- resentTo feel annoyance or ill will about something.
- rhinocerosA large mammal with one or two horns on its snout.
- rhododendronA flowering shrub or tree with showy clusters of blossoms.
- riceA cereal grain commonly cooked as food.
- rivalSomeone competing for the same thing.
- robotA machine that performs tasks automatically.
- rucksackA bag carried on the back.
S
25 words- sadUnhappy or sorrowful.
- safariAn expedition, especially to observe wildlife.
- saffronA spice obtained from crocus flowers.
- sarcophagusA stone coffin, often carved or decorated.
- sauceA mixture added to a dish for flavour.
- saunaA room or bath using intense heat.
- schadenfreudeA pleasure connected with someone else’s misfortune.
- schoolA place for teaching and learning.
- shampooA product or action for washing hair.
- sherbetA sweet chilled preparation; its form varies by region.
- shrewdAstute; good at making practical judgments.
- sillyFoolish or lacking good sense.
- skiA long runner used to travel over snow.
- sloganA short, memorable phrase used by a group.
- smartIntelligent, stylish or technologically capable.
- smorgasbordA varied buffet, or a wide assortment of things.
- spinachA plant whose green leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
- spinsterA term associated with an unmarried woman.
- starveTo suffer or die from a lack of food.
- stewardSomeone entrusted with managing property, supplies or an organisation.
- stoutStrong or sturdy; also thickset.
- streetA road in a town or city.
- sugarA sweet substance used to sweeten food and drink.
- sushiA dish based on vinegared rice with various accompaniments.
- syrupA thick, sweet liquid.
T
16 words- tabooA prohibition, or something forbidden.
- taffetaA crisp fabric used in clothing and decoration.
- talismanAn object believed to bring luck or keep harm away.
- tariffA list of charges, or a duty charged on goods.
- tattooA permanent design made in the skin.
- telephoneA device for speaking with someone far away.
- telescopeAn instrument for observing distant objects.
- thermometerAn instrument for measuring temperature.
- tomatoThe red or yellow fruit of a plant native to the Americas.
- treasureA collection of valuable things.
- tricycleA small wheeled vehicle often moved by pedals.
- tsunamiA series of large waves caused by displaced water.
- tulipA bulb-grown plant with a colourful flower.
- tundraA cold, largely treeless region.
- turquoiseA blue-green gemstone, also the name of a colour.
- tycoonA wealthy and powerful business figure.