Etymology Map
Back to all words

Ample

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means enough or more than enough

Where does the word "ample" come from? It comes from Latin amplus, adopted directly into English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
amplus
Latin · ancient
"large, spacious"
related to 'amplify'
2
Stage 2 of 2
ample
English · 1400s
"spacious"
came into English through French 'ample'
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Ample’s story begins in Latin: amplus meant “large, spacious.” Related to 'amplify'. It reached English by 1400s as ample. Came into English through French 'ample'. Today, ample means enough or more than enough.