Etymology Map
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Aerial

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means existing in the air; an antenna

Where does the word "aerial" come from? It comes from Latin aerius, adopted directly into English (1600s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
aerius
Latin · ancient
"airy"
from Greek 'aēr', air
2
Stage 2 of 2
aerial
English · 1600s
"airy"
first recorded around 1545 in the Protestant polemicist John Bale, from Latin 'aerius'; radio 'aerials' date from the 1900s
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Aerial’s story begins in Latin: aerius meant “airy.” From Greek 'aēr', air. It reached English by 1600s as aerial. First recorded around 1545 in the Protestant polemicist John Bale, from Latin 'aerius'; radio 'aerials' date from the 1900s. Today, aerial means existing in the air; an antenna.