Etymology Map
Back to all words

Sermon

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a talk on a religious or moral subject

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
sermo
Latin · ancient
"talk, discourse"
possibly related to 'serere', to join words
2
Stage 2 of 3
sermon
Old French · medieval
"sermon"
a formal religious speech
3
Stage 3 of 3
sermon
English · 1200s
"religious discourse"
'sermonize' dates from the 1600s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Sermon’s story begins in Latin: sermo meant “talk, discourse.” Possibly related to 'serere', to join words. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as sermon. A formal religious speech. It reached English by 1200s as sermon. 'sermonize' dates from the 1600s. Today, sermon means a talk on a religious or moral subject.