Etymology Map
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Famine

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means extreme scarcity of food

Where does the word "famine" come from? It comes from Latin fames, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fames
Latin · ancient
"hunger"
the root of 'famished'
2
Stage 2 of 3
famine
Old French · medieval
"hunger, famine"
widespread food shortage
3
Stage 3 of 3
famine
English · 1300s
"hunger"
the Great Famine of 1315–17 struck all northern Europe
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Read the full story

Famine’s story begins in Latin: fames meant “hunger.” The root of 'famished'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as famine. Widespread food shortage. It reached English by 1300s as famine. The Great Famine of 1315–17 struck all northern Europe. Today, famine means extreme scarcity of food.