Etymology Map
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Pomp

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means ceremonial splendour

Where does the word "pomp" come from? It comes from Greek pompē, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
pompē
Greek · ancient
"procession"
Greek, from 'pempein', to send
2
Stage 2 of 3
pompe
Old French · medieval
"splendour"
came via Latin 'pompa'
3
Stage 3 of 3
pomp
English · 1300s
"splendid display"
'pompous' followed
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Read the full story

Pomp’s story begins in Greek: pompē meant “procession.” Greek, from 'pempein', to send. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as pompe. Came via Latin 'pompa'. It reached English by 1300s as pomp. 'pompous' followed. Today, pomp means ceremonial splendour.