arrive

Where does the word "arrive" come from? It comes from Latin ad ripam, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Arrive’s story begins in Latin: ad ripam meant “to the shore.” Literally to the shore, from ad (to) and ripa (riverbank, shore). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ariver. Carried into French for reaching a destination, especially by sea. It reached English by 1200s as arrive. Settled as the English word for reaching a destination. Today, arrive means to reach a destination after traveling.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ad ripam "to the shore", literally to the shore, from ad (to) and ripa (riverbank, shore).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval ariver "to reach a destination", carried into French for reaching a destination, especially by sea.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s arrive "to reach a destination", settled as the English word for reaching a destination.