EtymologyMap
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Today it means

wrong

incorrect, unjust, or contrary to what is right

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Where does the word "wrong" come from? It comes from Old Norse vrangr, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).

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Where does the word "wrong" come from? It comes from Old Norse vrangr, and was adopted directly into English (1200s).

Wrong’s story begins in Old Norse: vrangr meant “twisted, crooked.” Literally twisted or crooked. It reached English by 1200s as wrong. Settled as the word for anything incorrect or unjust. Today, wrong means incorrect, unjust, or contrary to what is right.

  1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval vrangr "twisted, crooked", literally twisted or crooked.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1200s wrong "not correct, or morally unjust", settled as the word for anything incorrect or unjust.

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