Etymology Map
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Change

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to make or become different

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
cambiare
Latin · ancient
"to exchange"
a Latin word of Gaulish origin, used by merchants swapping goods
2
Stage 2 of 3
changier
Old French · medieval
"to alter, exchange"
used for money-changers as well as alteration
3
Stage 3 of 3
change
English · 1200s
"to exchange; to alter"
'small change' for coins dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Change’s story begins in Latin: cambiare meant “to exchange.” A Latin word of Gaulish origin, used by merchants swapping goods. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as changier. Used for money-changers as well as alteration. It reached English by 1200s as change. 'small change' for coins dates from the 1700s. Today, change means to make or become different.