Etymology Map
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Carpenter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person who makes wooden structures

Where does the word "carpenter" come from? It comes from Latin carpentum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
carpentum
Latin · ancient
"two-wheeled carriage"
a Gaulish word; the 'carpentarius' built carriages
2
Stage 2 of 3
carpentier
Old French · medieval
"woodworker"
broadened to any woodworker
3
Stage 3 of 3
carpenter
English · 1300s
"woodworker"
replaced Old English 'treowwyrhta', tree-worker
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Read the full story

Carpenter’s story begins in Latin: carpentum meant “two-wheeled carriage.” A Gaulish word; the 'carpentarius' built carriages. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as carpentier. Broadened to any woodworker. It reached English by 1300s as carpenter. Replaced Old English 'treowwyrhta', tree-worker. Today, carpenter means a person who makes wooden structures.