Etymology Map
Back to all words

Troubadour

4 stages from Occitan to English.

Today it means a medieval lyric poet of southern France; a singer of love songs

Where does the word "troubadour" come from? It comes from Occitan trobar, passing through Occitan and French before entering English (1720s).

1
Stage 1 of 4
trobar
Occitan · medieval
"to compose, find"
to compose, literally 'to find' (a poem or tune)
2
Stage 2 of 4
trobador
Occitan · 1100s
"poet-composer"
poets such as Guilhem IX, Duke of Aquitaine, invented the lyric of courtly love
3
Stage 3 of 4
troubadour
French · 1700s
"troubadour"
revived by French scholars of medieval literature
4
Stage 4 of 4
troubadour
English · 1720s
"lyric poet"
borrowed as interest in medieval poetry grew
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Troubadour’s story begins in Occitan: trobar meant “to compose, find.” To compose, literally 'to find' (a poem or tune). Within Occitan, it grew into trobador by 1100s. Poets such as Guilhem IX, Duke of Aquitaine, invented the lyric of courtly love. From there it passed into French as troubadour by 1700s. Revived by French scholars of medieval literature. It reached English by 1720s as troubadour. Borrowed as interest in medieval poetry grew. Today, troubadour means a medieval lyric poet of southern France; a singer of love songs.