Etymology Map
Back to all words

Tempt

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to entice to do something unwise

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
temptare
Latin · ancient
"to test, try"
the root of 'attempt'
2
Stage 2 of 3
tempter
Old French · medieval
"to test"
the Devil tempting Christ
3
Stage 3 of 3
tempt
English · 1200s
"to test; to entice"
'temptation' followed
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Tempt’s story begins in Latin: temptare meant “to test, try.” The root of 'attempt'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tempter. The Devil tempting Christ. It reached English by 1200s as tempt. 'temptation' followed. Today, tempt means to entice to do something unwise.