Etymology Map
Back to all words

Nausea

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit

Where does the word "nausea" come from? It comes from Greek nautia, passing through Latin before entering English (1560s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
nautia
Greek · ancient
"seasickness"
from 'naus', ship, the same root as 'nautical'
2
Stage 2 of 3
nausea
Latin · ancient
"seasickness"
extended to any queasiness
3
Stage 3 of 3
nausea
English · 1560s
"sick feeling"
also used for strong disgust
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Nausea’s story begins in Greek: nautia meant “seasickness.” From 'naus', ship, the same root as 'nautical'. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as nausea. Extended to any queasiness. It reached English by 1560s as nausea. Also used for strong disgust. Today, nausea means a feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit.