Etymology Map
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Hostel

3 stages from Medieval Latin to English.

Today it means cheap lodging for travellers

Where does the word "hostel" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin hospitale, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
hospitale
Medieval Latin · medieval
"guesthouse"
from 'hospes', host or guest
2
Stage 2 of 3
hostel
Old French · medieval
"inn"
an inn or lodging
3
Stage 3 of 3
hostel
English · 1200s
"inn"
'youth hostels' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Hostel’s story begins in Medieval Latin: hospitale meant “guesthouse.” From 'hospes', host or guest. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as hostel. An inn or lodging. It reached English by 1200s as hostel. 'youth hostels' date from the 1900s. Today, hostel means cheap lodging for travellers.