Etymology Map
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Porch

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a covered shelter at the entrance to a building

Where does the word "porch" come from? It comes from Latin porticus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
porticus
Latin · ancient
"colonnade"
from 'porta', gate; the root of 'portico'
2
Stage 2 of 3
porche
Old French · medieval
"covered entrance"
a covered area before a church door
3
Stage 3 of 3
porch
English · 1200s
"a covered entrance"
American 'porch' means a veranda
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Read the full story

Porch’s story begins in Latin: porticus meant “colonnade.” From 'porta', gate; the root of 'portico'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as porche. A covered area before a church door. It reached English by 1200s as porch. American 'porch' means a veranda. Today, porch means a covered shelter at the entrance to a building.