Etymology Map
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Enter

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to come or go into

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
intrare
Latin · ancient
"to go into"
from 'intra', within, the root of 'interior'
2
Stage 2 of 3
entrer
Old French · medieval
"to go in"
'entrée' and 'entrance' share the root
3
Stage 3 of 3
enter
English · 1200s
"to go in"
computing's 'enter key' dates from the 1970s
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Read the full story

Enter’s story begins in Latin: intrare meant “to go into.” From 'intra', within, the root of 'interior'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as entrer. 'entrée' and 'entrance' share the root. It reached English by 1200s as enter. Computing's 'enter key' dates from the 1970s. Today, enter means to come or go into.