Word archive
Every word played on Etymo, with where it came from. A word appears here the day after it is played.
A
16 words- acronymAn abbreviation that can be read as a word, such as NATO.
- acropolisThe elevated fortified part of an ancient Greek city.
- aftermathConsequences, or the period following an event.
- algebraMathematics in which letters stand for quantities.
- alligatorA large aquatic reptile with a broad snout.
- anarchyAn absence of governing authority; also a political ideal.
- anchorA device used to hold a vessel in place.
- anemometerAn instrument used to take weather measurements.
- antipodeA place on the opposite side of the globe; an exact opposite.
- apricotA small orange-coloured stone fruit.
- aqueductA channel or structure that carries water.
- aristocracyAn elite social class, or government by that class.
- artificialMade by humans; sometimes imitation or insincere.
- autobiographyA written account of the author's own life.
- autopsyAn examination of a body after death.
- awfulExtremely bad or unpleasant.
B
17 words- bagelA ring-shaped bread roll.
- balletA theatrical form of dance.
- 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.
- bonfireA large fire built outdoors.
- bridegroomA man who is about to marry or has just married.
- broadcastTo transmit material to a wide audience.
- bullySomeone who intimidates or mistreats people who are vulnerable.
- butterA dairy food made by churning cream.
- buxomFull-figured; historically also lively or hearty.
C
27 words- calligraphyThe art of beautiful handwriting.
- candidateSomeone seeking an office or position.
- carnivalA public celebration or festival.
- carrotA vegetable commonly grown for its orange root.
- caviarSalted fish roe served as a food.
- centripetalAn adjective used for a direction in motion.
- chairA seat designed for one person.
- chamberA room or enclosed space.
- cherryA small stone fruit, or the tree that bears it.
- chiffonA light, sheer fabric.
- chocolateA food made from roasted cacao seeds.
- cinnamonAn aromatic spice made from tree bark.
- 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.
- companionSomeone who accompanies or spends time with you.
- computerA programmable device that processes information.
- copperA reddish metal used in wiring and other goods.
- 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.
- crownA head ornament used as a sign of rank or rule.
- crystalA solid with an ordered internal structure; especially clear quartz.
- cuminAn aromatic spice made from small seeds.
D
9 words- daisyA flower with a central disk and a ring of petals.
- damsonA small dark plum.
- 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.
- disasterA catastrophic or deeply unfortunate event.
- doomAn unavoidable destructive fate.
E
4 wordsF
3 wordsG
8 words- 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.
H
11 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.
- houndA dog, especially one used for hunting.
- husbandA male partner in a marriage.
- hussyAn insulting term directed at a woman.
- hydrophobiaAn aversion to water; also a historical name associated with rabies.
I
2 wordsJ
1 wordK
6 wordsL
2 wordsM
14 words- mammothAn extinct elephant; also something enormous.
- manufactureTo make goods, often using machinery.
- marbleA stone used in buildings and sculpture, often polished.
- meatAnimal flesh used as food.
- mermaidA legendary creature with a woman's upper body and a fish's tail.
- metropolisA major city or principal urban centre.
- microscopeAn instrument that makes tiny details visible.
- midwifeA person who assists in childbirth.
- misanthropeSomeone who dislikes or distrusts humankind.
- monarchyGovernment headed by a monarch.
- 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.
N
6 wordsO
8 words- octopusA marine mollusc with eight arms.
- ointmentA salve applied to the skin.
- 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.
- orthodoxConforming to established beliefs or practices.
- orthographyThe conventions of spelling and writing a language.
P
22 words- pajamasClothes worn for sleeping or lounging.
- paperA sheet material used for writing and wrapping.
- 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.
- pillowA soft support for the head when resting.
- pioneerSomeone who opens a new field of activity or development.
- poisonA substance that can injure or kill through its chemical action.
- polyglotSomeone who knows several languages.
- polygonA closed plane figure with straight sides.
- 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
6 wordsS
19 words- sadUnhappy or sorrowful.
- safariAn expedition, especially to observe wildlife.
- saffronA spice obtained from crocus flowers.
- sarcophagusA stone coffin, often carved or decorated.
- saunaA room or bath using intense heat.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
T
13 words- tabooA prohibition, or something forbidden.
- taffetaA crisp fabric used in clothing and decoration.
- 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.
- tsunamiA series of large waves caused by displaced water.
- tulipA bulb-grown plant with a colourful flower.
- tundraA cold, largely treeless region.
- tycoonA wealthy and powerful business figure.