I couldn't find a comprehensive English etymology database online, so I built this site.

It uses NLP to extract structured data from Wiktionary entries and turn etymologies into interconnected nodes. In practice, that means information scattered across separate entries can be linked together, so relationships that are only partially visible on one page become easier to trace across the database.

Structured data also makes it possible to ask questions that are difficult or impossible to answer with a conventional dictionary. For example, you can start with a word and find its listed derivatives, even when no editor has manually assembled that set in one place. That is one of the main advantages of treating etymology as a connected dataset rather than a collection of individual entries.

The database may still contain mistakes, omissions, or imperfect inferences. Over time, I plan to improve and enrich the data using additional sources such as Etymonline and the OED.

If you'd like to use the database or develop with it, or if you notice an error or missing information, send me a note at joe@etymologue.com. This email address is the best way to contact me. I'll happily make the database available, and I welcome feature suggestions, questions about how the site works, and general feedback. A practical overview of the site is available in the search guide. My other work is available at jlauf.com.