Etymology Map
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Senorita

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a young or unmarried Spanish-speaking woman

Where does the word "senorita" come from? It comes from Latin senior, passing through Spanish before entering English (1820s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
senior
Latin · ancient
"older"
older, the source of 'sire' and 'sir'
2
Stage 2 of 3
señorita
Spanish · 1500s
"young lady"
'little lady', a diminutive of 'señora'
3
Stage 3 of 3
senorita
English · 1820s
"young lady"
borrowed in accounts of Spain and Mexico
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Read the full story

Senorita’s story begins in Latin: senior meant “older.” Older, the source of 'sire' and 'sir'. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Spanish as señorita. 'little lady', a diminutive of 'señora'. It reached English by 1820s as senorita. Borrowed in accounts of Spain and Mexico. Today, senorita means a young or unmarried Spanish-speaking woman.