Etymology Map
Back to all words

Amigo

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a friend

Where does the word "amigo" come from? It comes from Latin amīcus, passing through Spanish before entering English (1830s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
amīcus
Latin · ancient
"friend"
a friend, from 'amāre', to love
2
Stage 2 of 3
amigo
Spanish · medieval
"friend"
friend
3
Stage 3 of 3
amigo
American English · 1830s
"friend"
picked up in Texas and the Southwest
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Amigo’s story begins in Latin: amīcus meant “friend.” A friend, from 'amāre', to love. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Spanish as amigo. Friend. It reached English by 1830s as amigo. Picked up in Texas and the Southwest. Today, amigo means a friend.