Etymology Map
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Monster

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large, ugly, frightening creature

Where does the word "monster" come from? It comes from Latin monstrum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
monstrum
Latin · ancient
"portent, omen"
from 'monere', to warn: a sign sent by the gods
2
Stage 2 of 3
monstre
Old French · medieval
"monster"
a malformed creature
3
Stage 3 of 3
monster
English · 1300s
"prodigy"
'monstrous' followed
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Read the full story

Monster’s story begins in Latin: monstrum meant “portent, omen.” From 'monere', to warn: a sign sent by the gods. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as monstre. A malformed creature. It reached English by 1300s as monster. 'monstrous' followed. Today, monster means a large, ugly, frightening creature.