Etymology Map
Back to all words

Major

2 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means important; greater

Where does the word "major" come from? It comes from Latin major, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
major
Latin · ancient
"greater"
comparative of 'magnus', great
2
Stage 2 of 2
major
English · 1300s
"greater"
military 'majors' date from the 1600s; college 'majors' from the 1900s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Major’s story begins in Latin: major meant “greater.” Comparative of 'magnus', great. It reached English by 1300s as major. Military 'majors' date from the 1600s; college 'majors' from the 1900s. Today, major means important; greater.