Etymology Map
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Bride

3 stages from Proto-Germanic to English.

Today it means a woman on her wedding day or just married

Where does the word "bride" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic brūdiz, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
brūdiz
Proto-Germanic · ancient
"bride"
German 'Braut' and Dutch 'bruid' are cousins
2
Stage 2 of 3
brȳd
Old English · 700s-1000s
"bride"
'brȳdealu', bride-ale, the wedding feast, gave the word 'bridal'
3
Stage 3 of 3
bride
English · 1500s
"bride"
'bridegroom' comes from Old English 'brȳdguma', bride-man, reshaped by 'groom', servant
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Read the full story

Bride’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: brūdiz meant “bride.” German 'Braut' and Dutch 'bruid' are cousins. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as brȳd. 'brȳdealu', bride-ale, the wedding feast, gave the word 'bridal'. It reached English by 1500s as bride. 'bridegroom' comes from Old English 'brȳdguma', bride-man, reshaped by 'groom', servant. Today, bride means a woman on her wedding day or just married.