innovate

Where does the word "innovate" come from? It comes from Latin novus, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Innovate’s story begins in Latin: novus meant “new.” New, combined with in- (into). Within Latin, it grew into innovare by ancient. To renew, to introduce new things, from in- and novus. It reached English by 1500s as innovate. Settled as the English word for introducing new methods or ideas. Today, innovate means to introduce new methods, ideas, or products.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient novus "new", new, combined with in- (into).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient innovare "to renew, to introduce new things", to renew, to introduce new things, from in- and novus.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s innovate "to introduce new methods, ideas, or products", settled as the English word for introducing new methods or ideas.