Etymology Map
Back to all words

Bullet

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a projectile fired from a gun

Where does the word "bullet" come from? It comes from Latin bulla, passing through French before entering English (1550s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
bulla
Latin · ancient
"bubble, knob"
the root of 'bubble' and 'bullion'
2
Stage 2 of 3
boulette
French · 1500s
"small ball"
a diminutive of 'boule', ball
3
Stage 3 of 3
bullet
English · 1550s
"small ball"
'bullet points' date from the 1980s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Bullet’s story begins in Latin: bulla meant “bubble, knob.” The root of 'bubble' and 'bullion'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as boulette. A diminutive of 'boule', ball. It reached English by 1550s as bullet. 'bullet points' date from the 1980s. Today, bullet means a projectile fired from a gun.