Etymo

paradox

A statement or situation that seems contradictory.

Played on · Day 43 · word 4 of 5

Outside what you expect

How paradox reached English

oldest first
  • para-‘beyond or outside’
  • dokein‘to think or seem’

combined

  1. Greek

    paradoxos

    ‘Contrary to expectation’

    within Greek

  2. Greek

    paradoxon

    ‘An incredible statement or opinion’

    into Latin

  3. Latin

    paradoxum

    ‘A statement seemingly absurd yet really true’

    into English

  4. English

    paradox

    ‘An apparent contradiction’

The story of paradox

Greek paradoxos meant contrary to expectation. Merriam-Webster traces it to para-, beyond or outside, and dokein, to think or seem.

Paradoxon and paradoxos are grammatical forms in the same Greek family, not two successive sound changes.

Sources

Also built on Greek dokein

The route from expectation to apparent contradiction makes the modern meaning less mysterious.

More words from 18 October 2026

  1. panoramaA sweeping view of a scene.
  2. mintAn aromatic herb used for flavoring.
  3. patheticPitifully inadequate; also capable of arousing pity.
  4. aubergineThe vegetable also called an eggplant.

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