Etymology Map
Back to all words

Gravel

3 stages from Gaulish to English.

Today it means small loose stones

Where does the word "gravel" come from? It comes from Gaulish grava, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
grava
Gaulish · ancient
"gravel, sand"
a Gaulish word; the root also of 'grave' as a shore
2
Stage 2 of 3
gravele
Old French · medieval
"small stones"
a diminutive of 'grave', sandy shore
3
Stage 3 of 3
gravel
English · 1200s
"small stones"
'gravelly' voice dates from the 1800s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Gravel’s story begins in Gaulish: grava meant “gravel, sand.” A Gaulish word; the root also of 'grave' as a shore. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gravele. A diminutive of 'grave', sandy shore. It reached English by 1200s as gravel. 'gravelly' voice dates from the 1800s. Today, gravel means small loose stones.