Etymology Map
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Confront

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to face up to

Where does the word "confront" come from? It comes from Latin frons, passing through French before entering English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
frons
Latin · ancient
"forehead, front"
'com-' plus 'frons': face to face
2
Stage 2 of 3
confronter
French · 1500s
"to confront"
came via Medieval Latin 'confrontare'
3
Stage 3 of 3
confront
English · 1560s
"to face"
'confrontation' followed
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Read the full story

Confront’s story begins in Latin: frons meant “forehead, front.” 'com-' plus 'frons': face to face. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in French as confronter. Came via Medieval Latin 'confrontare'. It reached English by 1560s as confront. 'confrontation' followed. Today, confront means to face up to.