Etymology Map
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Vigil

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a period of staying awake to watch or pray

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

1
Stage 1 of 3
vigilia
Latin · ancient
"wakefulness, watch"
from 'vigil', awake, the root of 'vigilant'
2
Stage 2 of 3
vigile
Old French · medieval
"eve of a feast"
night watch before a holy day
3
Stage 3 of 3
vigil
English · 1200s
"eve of a feast"
candlelight 'vigils' date from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Vigil’s story begins in Latin: vigilia meant “wakefulness, watch.” From 'vigil', awake, the root of 'vigilant'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as vigile. Night watch before a holy day. It reached English by 1200s as vigil. Candlelight 'vigils' date from the 1900s. Today, vigil means a period of staying awake to watch or pray.