Etymology Map
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Emigrate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to leave one's country to live elsewhere

Where does the word "emigrate" come from? It comes from Latin emigrare, adopted directly into English (1770s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
emigrare
Latin · ancient
"to move away"
'e-', out, plus 'migrare', to move
2
Stage 2 of 2
emigrate
English · 1770s
"to leave one's country"
'emigrant' is older, from the 1750s
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Read the full story

Emigrate’s story begins in Latin: emigrare meant “to move away.” 'e-', out, plus 'migrare', to move. It reached English by 1770s as emigrate. 'emigrant' is older, from the 1750s. Today, emigrate means to leave one's country to live elsewhere.