Etymology Map
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Colleague

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a person one works with

Where does the word "colleague" come from? It comes from Latin collega, passing through French before entering English (1520s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
collega
Latin · ancient
"partner in office"
'com-' plus 'legare', to appoint
2
Stage 2 of 3
collegue
French · 1500s
"colleague"
Latin 'collega' was a partner sent with the same commission, from 'legare', to send as a deputy
3
Stage 3 of 3
colleague
English · 1520s
"partner in office"
'college' shares the root
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Read the full story

Colleague’s story begins in Latin: collega meant “partner in office.” 'com-' plus 'legare', to appoint. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as collegue. Latin 'collega' was a partner sent with the same commission, from 'legare', to send as a deputy. It reached English by 1520s as colleague. 'college' shares the root. Today, colleague means a person one works with.