Etymology Map
Back to all words

Assimilate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to take in and understand; to absorb

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

1
Stage 1 of 2
assimilare
Latin · ancient
"to make like"
'ad-' plus 'similis', like
2
Stage 2 of 2
assimilate
English · 1400s
"to absorb"
cultural assimilation dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Assimilate’s story begins in Latin: assimilare meant “to make like.” 'ad-' plus 'similis', like. It reached English by 1400s as assimilate. Cultural assimilation dates from the 1800s. Today, assimilate means to take in and understand; to absorb.