veranda

Where does the word "veranda" come from? It comes from Portuguese varanda, passing through Hindi before entering English (1700s).

Veranda’s story begins in Portuguese: varanda meant “a railed balcony.” A railed platform or balcony. By 1600s, the word had taken hold in Hindi as baramdā. Adopted and reinforced through Portuguese colonial contact in India. It reached English by 1700s as veranda. British bungalows in India were built with wide verandas; the word may come from Portuguese 'varanda', balcony. Today, veranda means a covered porch or balcony, usually along the outside of a house.

1. Stage 1 · Portuguese · 1500s varanda "a railed balcony", a railed platform or balcony.
2. Stage 2 · Hindi · 1600s baramdā "a covered porch", adopted and reinforced through Portuguese colonial contact in India.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1700s veranda "a covered porch along a building", British bungalows in India were built with wide verandas; the word may come from Portuguese 'varanda', balcony.