Etymology Map
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Fume

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means gas or vapour with a strong smell

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
fumus
Latin · ancient
"smoke"
the root of 'fumigate' and 'perfume'
2
Stage 2 of 3
fum
Old French · medieval
"smoke"
smoke and vapour
3
Stage 3 of 3
fume
English · 1300s
"smoke"
'fuming' with anger dates from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Fume’s story begins in Latin: fumus meant “smoke.” The root of 'fumigate' and 'perfume'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fum. Smoke and vapour. It reached English by 1300s as fume. 'fuming' with anger dates from the 1500s. Today, fume means gas or vapour with a strong smell.