Etymology Map
Back to all words

Ennui

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means listlessness from lack of excitement

Where does the word "ennui" come from? It comes from Latin in odio, passing through French before entering English (1730s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
in odio
Latin · ancient
"hateful"
from the Latin phrase 'mihi in odio est'
2
Stage 2 of 3
ennui
French · 1700s
"boredom"
the same word gave 'annoy'
3
Stage 3 of 3
ennui
English · 1730s
"boredom"
borrowed again from modern French
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Ennui’s story begins in Latin: in odio meant “hateful.” From the Latin phrase 'mihi in odio est'. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as ennui. The same word gave 'annoy'. It reached English by 1730s as ennui. Borrowed again from modern French. Today, ennui means listlessness from lack of excitement.