Etymology Map
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Savage

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means fierce and violent

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
silvaticus
Late Latin · ancient
"of the woods"
from 'silva', forest, the root of 'sylvan'
2
Stage 2 of 3
sauvage
Old French · medieval
"wild"
wild animals and untamed land
3
Stage 3 of 3
savage
English · 1300s
"wild"
used of cruel ferocity from the 1500s
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Read the full story

Savage’s story begins in Late Latin: silvaticus meant “of the woods.” From 'silva', forest, the root of 'sylvan'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sauvage. Wild animals and untamed land. It reached English by 1300s as savage. Used of cruel ferocity from the 1500s. Today, savage means fierce and violent.