Etymology Map
Back to all words

Spring

2 stages from Old English to English.

Today it means the season after winter; a coiled wire; a source of water

Where does the word "spring" come from? It comes from Old English springan, adopted directly into English (1540s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
springan
Old English · medieval
"to leap"
'to leap, burst out', as water from a spring
2
Stage 2 of 2
spring
English · 1540s
"the season after winter"
short for 'spring of the year' (1520s), when plants burst out; it replaced the older season name lencten, 'lengthening (of days)', which survives as Lent
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Spring’s story begins in Old English: springan meant “to leap.” 'to leap, burst out', as water from a spring. It reached English by 1540s as spring. Short for 'spring of the year' (1520s), when plants burst out; it replaced the older season name lencten, 'lengthening (of days)', which survives as Lent. Today, spring means the season after winter; a coiled wire; a source of water.