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Synonym

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a word that means the same as another

Where does the word "synonym" come from? It comes from Greek synōnymos, passing through Latin before entering English (1400s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
synōnymos
Greek · ancient
"having the same name"
'syn', together, plus 'onyma', name
2
Stage 2 of 3
synonymum
Latin · ancient
"synonym"
used by grammarians
3
Stage 3 of 3
synonym
English · 1400s
"a word with the same meaning"
came via French
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Read the full story

Synonym’s story begins in Greek: synōnymos meant “having the same name.” 'syn', together, plus 'onyma', name. By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as synonymum. Used by grammarians. It reached English by 1400s as synonym. Came via French. Today, synonym means a word that means the same as another.