Etymology Map
Back to all words

Entourage

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a group of people attending an important person

Where does the word "entourage" come from? It comes from Latin tornare, passing through French before entering English (1830s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
tornare
Latin · ancient
"to turn"
the root of 'turn'
2
Stage 2 of 3
entourage
French · 1800s
"surroundings"
from 'entourer', to surround
3
Stage 3 of 3
entourage
English · 1830s
"surroundings"
the sense 'group of attendants' dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Entourage’s story begins in Latin: tornare meant “to turn.” The root of 'turn'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as entourage. From 'entourer', to surround. It reached English by 1830s as entourage. The sense 'group of attendants' dates from the 1800s. Today, entourage means a group of people attending an important person.