etymological

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The verbs for mattering, importer and compter, have no etymological link to matière.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

I’m glad you asked, because earlier this week The Times published an entertaining history of the word’s etymological evolution.

From New York Times • Feb. 13, 2024

“India” has etymological roots in the Indus River, which was called “Sindhu” in Sanskrit.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 7, 2023

The effect becomes increasingly oppressive as the arguments wax and wane, about everything from the etymological difference between “leaving” and “fleeing” to the nature of forgiveness.

From Washington Post • Jan. 4, 2023

Invention, as I mentioned above, has as its etymological root the idea of “coming upon” the available grounds for argument.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith