Etymology Map
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Onion

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an edible bulb with a pungent taste and smell

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
unio
Latin · ancient
"a single large pearl; onion"
Roman farmers' word, possibly from 'unus', one, for the bulb that grows singly, unlike garlic
2
Stage 2 of 3
oignon
Old French · medieval
"onion"
replaced the Latin 'cepa' in northern France
3
Stage 3 of 3
onion
English · 1300s
"onion"
displaced Old English 'ynne-leac', onion-leek
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Read the full story

Onion’s story begins in Latin: unio meant “a single large pearl; onion.” Roman farmers' word, possibly from 'unus', one, for the bulb that grows singly, unlike garlic. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as oignon. Replaced the Latin 'cepa' in northern France. It reached English by 1300s as onion. Displaced Old English 'ynne-leac', onion-leek. Today, onion means an edible bulb with a pungent taste and smell.