The only free and comprehensive online etymological dictionary of the Spanish language

Word of the Day

rico (Adjective) "wealthy;" "flavorful"
12th cent. From a Germanic source (compare Gothic reiks "powerful;" Old Saxon rīki, Old English rīce "rich"). Ultimately from Proto-Germanic *rīk(j)a- "rich," "powerful" - the laurels of a king. From earlier *rīk- "king." Borrowed from Proto-Celtic *rīg- 'id.' From Proto-Indo-European *h3rēǵ- 'id.' (whence rey).
Indo-European
Romance
Portuguese rico, Catalan ric, French riche, Italian ricco
Celtic
Gaulish Rigomagus "king's market," Old Irish rí "king," Old Welsh ri 'id.'
Indo-Iranian
Sanskrit rā́j- "king," Old Avestan rāzar- "rule"
Corominas, J. & J. Pascual. Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e híspanico. 6 vols. Madrid: Gredos. 1991-1997.
Kroonen, G. Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic. BRILL. 2014.
Real Academia Española. Diccionario de la lengua española. Online. 23rd ed. Madrid: Espasa Calpa. 2014. http://www.rae.es/.

12 August 2019 - Update 3.92

Final updates in preparation for a particularly large data update coming at the end of the month.

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The Online Etymological Dictionary of Spanish is a free etymological dictionary of the Spanish language launched on August 6, 2016. An etymology is not a definition but a history of a word over time. This site provides an account of the development of the Spanish language as best as historical linguists are able to ascertain in a way that is accessible both by laymen and academics. If you enjoy using this dictionary, please consider donating to help keep this site alive.