Etymology Map
Back to all words

Fund

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a sum of money set aside

Where does the word "fund" come from? It comes from Latin fundus, passing through French before entering English (1670s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
fundus
Latin · ancient
"bottom, estate"
the root of 'foundation' and 'fundamental'
2
Stage 2 of 3
fonds
French · 1600s
"stock, capital"
the bottom or base of wealth
3
Stage 3 of 3
fund
English · 1670s
"stock of money"
'investment funds' date from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Fund’s story begins in Latin: fundus meant “bottom, estate.” The root of 'foundation' and 'fundamental'. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in French as fonds. The bottom or base of wealth. It reached English by 1670s as fund. 'investment funds' date from the 1800s. Today, fund means a sum of money set aside.