Etymology Map
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Verb

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a word describing an action or state

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
verbum
Latin · ancient
"word"
the root of 'verbal' and 'verbose'
2
Stage 2 of 3
verbe
Old French · medieval
"verb"
grammarians' term for the action word
3
Stage 3 of 3
verb
English · 1300s
"verb"
'verbatim' means word for word
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Read the full story

Verb’s story begins in Latin: verbum meant “word.” The root of 'verbal' and 'verbose'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as verbe. Grammarians' term for the action word. It reached English by 1300s as verb. 'verbatim' means word for word. Today, verb means a word describing an action or state.