Etymology Map
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Flute

3 stages from Vulgar Latin to English.

Today it means a wind instrument played by blowing across a hole

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
flabeolum
Vulgar Latin · ancient
"a blowing instrument"
possibly from 'flare', to blow, blended with 'lute'
2
Stage 2 of 3
flaüte
Old French · medieval
"flute"
a medieval wind instrument
3
Stage 3 of 3
flute
English · 1300s
"a wind instrument"
'champagne flute' dates from the 1600s
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Read the full story

Flute’s story begins in Vulgar Latin: flabeolum meant “a blowing instrument.” Possibly from 'flare', to blow, blended with 'lute'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as flaüte. A medieval wind instrument. It reached English by 1300s as flute. 'champagne flute' dates from the 1600s. Today, flute means a wind instrument played by blowing across a hole.