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

Word of the Day

prisión f. (Noun) "prison"
13th cent. From Vulgar Latin *presionem 'id.' From Latin prensionem, accusative of prensio 'id.' Derived from prehendere "to apprehend" (see prender).
Corominas, J. & J. Pascual. Diccionario crítico etimológico castellano e híspanico. 6 vols. Madrid: Gredos. 1991-1997.
Dictionnaire Étymologique Roman. Online. Ed. by É. Buchi & W. Schweickard. 2018. http://www.atilf.fr/DERom.
Real Academia Española. Diccionario de la lengua española. Online. 23rd ed. Madrid: Espasa Calpa. 2014. http://www.rae.es/.
Sihler, A. New Comparative Grammar of Greek and Latin. Oxford University Press. 2008.

9 November 2018 - Update 3.2

A series of shadow updates were implemented over the past month: changes in formatting and font, an improved layout to display cognates in other languages, and information added.

Welcome

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.