Etymology Map
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Style

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a distinctive manner; elegance

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
stilus
Latin · ancient
"writing stake"
a pointed tool for writing on wax tablets; the y came from confusion with Greek 'stylos', pillar
2
Stage 2 of 3
stile
Old French · medieval
"pen; manner of writing"
came to mean a manner of expression
3
Stage 3 of 3
style
English · 1300s
"manner of writing"
the fashion sense dates from the 1800s
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Read the full story

Style’s story begins in Latin: stilus meant “writing stake.” A pointed tool for writing on wax tablets; the y came from confusion with Greek 'stylos', pillar. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as stile. Came to mean a manner of expression. It reached English by 1300s as style. The fashion sense dates from the 1800s. Today, style means a distinctive manner; elegance.