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Where does the word "vocabulary" come from? It comes from Latin vocare, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
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Where does the word "vocabulary" come from? It comes from Latin vocare, and was adopted directly into English (1530s).
Vocabulary’s story begins in Latin: vocare meant “to call, to name.” The root of 'voice', 'vocal' and 'vocation'. It reached English by 1530s as vocabulary. Settled as the English word for the body of words known or used. Today, vocabulary means the body of words used or understood by a particular person or group.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient vocare "to call, to name", the root of 'voice', 'vocal' and 'vocation'.
- Stage 2 · English · 1530s vocabulary "the body of words known or used by a person or group", settled as the English word for the body of words known or used.