Etymology Map
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Irate

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means feeling great anger

Where does the word "irate" come from? It comes from Latin iratus, adopted directly into English (1830s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
iratus
Latin · ancient
"angry"
past participle of 'irasci', to be angry, from 'ira', anger
2
Stage 2 of 2
irate
English · 1830s
"angry"
'ire' is older, from the 1200s
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Read the full story

Irate’s story begins in Latin: iratus meant “angry.” Past participle of 'irasci', to be angry, from 'ira', anger. It reached English by 1830s as irate. 'ire' is older, from the 1200s. Today, irate means feeling great anger.