Etymology Map
Back to all words

Arid

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means having little rain

Where does the word "arid" come from? It comes from Latin aridus, adopted directly into English (1650s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
aridus
Latin · ancient
"dry"
from 'arere', to be dry
2
Stage 2 of 2
arid
English · 1650s
"dry"
'arid' prose dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Arid’s story begins in Latin: aridus meant “dry.” From 'arere', to be dry. It reached English by 1650s as arid. 'arid' prose dates from the 1800s. Today, arid means having little rain.