Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Drag to rotate
Tracing “”…
Where does the word "glory" come from? It comes from Latin gloria, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Read the full story
Where does the word "glory" come from? It comes from Latin gloria, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).
Glory’s story begins in Latin: gloria meant “fame, renown.” The Latin hymn 'Gloria in excelsis' spread it through the Church. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as glorie. Also used for the halo of a saint. It reached English by 1200s as glory. 'glorious' and 'glorify' followed. Today, glory means high renown or honour.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient gloria "fame, renown", the Latin hymn 'Gloria in excelsis' spread it through the Church.
- Stage 2 · Old French · medieval glorie "glory", also used for the halo of a saint.
- Stage 3 · English · 1200s glory "praise, honour", 'glorious' and 'glorify' followed.