Etymology Map
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Fraud

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means wrongful deception for gain

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
fraus
Latin · ancient
"deceit"
related to 'frustra', in vain, the root of 'frustrate'
2
Stage 2 of 3
fraude
Old French · medieval
"fraud"
a legal term for deception
3
Stage 3 of 3
fraud
English · 1300s
"deceit"
'fraudster' dates from the 1970s
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Read the full story

Fraud’s story begins in Latin: fraus meant “deceit.” Related to 'frustra', in vain, the root of 'frustrate'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fraude. A legal term for deception. It reached English by 1300s as fraud. 'fraudster' dates from the 1970s. Today, fraud means wrongful deception for gain.