Etymology Trivia Quizzes

This section features quizzes on the origins of words and phrases.

131 Etymology quizzes and 1,834 Etymology trivia questions.

Sub-Categories:

Eponyms (Words from Names) (22 quizzes)

From the Same Language (13)

Place Names (19)

Related Words (26)

Hidden Meanings - 10 questions - 5 mins

Words often hide meanings they no longer have. Just see how good a linguistic sleuth you are.

Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Aug 27 03

Tough
flem-ish
1094 plays

Revelations - 10 questions - 6 mins

Word Meanings

Often the meaning of a word is revealed by considering its similarity to another word that has come from the same root. Here are some examples for you to try.

Easier, 10 Qns, looney_tunes, Dec 17 22

Recommended for grades: 9,10,11

Easier
looney_tunes editor

Dec 17 22
279 plays

Searching for Words great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 4 mins

For the final stage of the Amazing Race 2, The NaMaPoJo GoGo Quiz Pros have been exploring word etymology. So why not join us as we learn all about the ten miscellaneous words contained in this quiz?

Average, 10 Qns, poshprice, Oct 11 13

Average
poshprice
2075 plays

Sourc-ery

- 10 questions - 3 mins

Pick the language from which each of these American/English words is derived.

Easier, 10 Qns, nyirene330, Aug 25 16

Easier
nyirene330
Aug 25 16
522 plays

Ancient Word Origins great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 3 mins

Understanding the word origins may give us a better and deeper insight of the terms we use daily.

Average, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jun 12 16

Average
thejazzkickazz

Jun 12 16
3731 plays

Nerdy Words For Wordy Nerds best quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

After a tough day of train spotting, sucking seer and biting the heads off of chickens, it might be nice to settle down, hang up your anorak and play with words.

Difficult, 10 Qns, uglybird, Sep 01 10

Difficult
uglybird
2717 plays

I Can't Find What I Need! popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 3 mins

This challenge is by WesleyCrusher. I'm borrowing from the smaller group of languages that contribute to English because I can't find what I need in the major groups. Please choose the language that represents the BOLD words.

Easier, 10 Qns, alexis722, Sep 26 12

Easier
alexis722
1194 plays

Where Everyday Phrases Come From great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 5 mins

We use these in our everyday speech. See if you can identify their origins.

Tough, 10 Qns, simjazzbeer, Mar 01 17

Tough
simjazzbeer
Mar 01 17
2335 plays

Non-Indo-European Words in English great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 4 mins

Trivia fiends like me know all the German and Latin roots in American English, but what about those non-Indo-European loan words we use? I'll give you two or three words and you tell me in what language they originated.

Average, 10 Qns, shvdotr, Jan 02 10

Average
shvdotr

796 plays

10.

And Now, a Few Words From Our Guild popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

Welcome to Guilder's World of Words, where you can find all kinds of words to suit all your vocabulary needs! We have some wonderful specials here at the World of Words. This week's specials are:

Tough, 10 Qns, ertrum, Nov 23 06

Tough
ertrum

532 plays

Quick Question

The name Canada comes from the Huron-Iroquois language. What does "Canada" actually mean?

From Quiz "The Origin of Country Names"

11.

Neologogenesis: Words That Don't Exist, But Could editor best quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

The words which are the subject of this quiz don't appear in any dictionary, and have never appeared in print until now. But each nevertheless has a clear meaning, dictated by etymological and other word-formation principles.

Very Difficult, 10 Qns, xaosdog, Feb 02 22

Very Difficult
xaosdog
Feb 02 22
5734 plays

12.

The Quirkiness of the English Language great trivia quiz

- 15 questions - 4 mins

The English language is a hotchpotch of foreign words. This quiz is about the origin of words in everyday English usage.

Tough, 15 Qns, sunfloweruk23, Feb 18 20

Tough
sunfloweruk23
Feb 18 20
1877 plays

13.

Where'd it Come From? popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 3 mins

Many of the everyday words and phrases we use have interesting origins. Here are a few that may be of interest.

Average, 10 Qns, Richicago, Nov 27 20

Average
Richicago
Nov 27 20
2387 plays

14.

Can You Rephrase That? - Part Deux great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

Quite a few folks asked for a sequel to "Can You Rephrase That?", which was undertaken originally as an author's challenge. Here is the follow-up to the last quiz. Be sure to "think outside the box" and I hope you enjoy!

Tough, 10 Qns, logcrawler, Aug 18 10

Tough
logcrawler

675 plays

15.

Etymological Tidbits - 10 questions - 4 mins

By looking at faces you often recognize family features. Something similar is true about words. Try your luck.

Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Jun 10 22

Average
flem-ish
Jun 10 22
2905 plays

16.

Word Origins from Around the World great trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 5 mins

Words in common usage today derive from sources the world over. Do you know which words come from the source word with which I will provide you? Good luck - all is not as it appears!

Difficult, 10 Qns, alliefarrell, Feb 16 09

Difficult
alliefarrell
1723 plays

17.

Where Everyday Phrases Come From, Part Two popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 5 mins

If you enjoyed the first of my quizzes on this subject, try your hand at another collection of everyday phrases.

Tough, 10 Qns, simjazzbeer, Mar 02 10

Tough
simjazzbeer
513 plays

18.

Origins of Some English Words - 20 questions - 4 mins

Here are questions on the origins of some English words.

Average, 20 Qns, chessart, Dec 07 16

Average
chessart

Dec 07 16
1905 plays

19.

The Ultimate Word Origins Quiz popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 4 mins

Etymology is like linguistic archeology. You dig into words and you discover earlier forms, meanings, etc. Have a try with these - occasionally surprising - word origins.

Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Feb 05 05

Tough
flem-ish
3151 plays

20.

Really the Word Means That? - 10 questions - 4 mins

Language is more interesting when we learn what words really mean. As you will soon see, everyday words have some rather weird and bizarre derivations.

Average, 10 Qns, Znarkasaurus, Sep 15 19

Average
Znarkasaurus

Sep 15 19
451 plays

21.

An Etymological Smorgasbord popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

Are you a word lover? Here are a diverse group of questions relating to word origins.

Difficult, 10 Qns, uglybird, Jul 21 22

Difficult
uglybird
Jul 21 22
1378 plays

22.

Where Did That Word Come From? - 15 questions - 3 mins

Most English words come from Latin or 'Old English'. Here are some that don't. But where DID they come from?

Average, 15 Qns, Baloo55th, Nov 26 09

Average
Baloo55th

1831 plays

23.

Etymology - Words and Myths - 15 questions - 5 mins

Each question relates to an English word we use often in speech and writing - but all have a story behind them. What is the provenance or origin of each of the following words, concepts and phrases...?

Average, 15 Qns, alkmene, Dec 12 20

Average
alkmene
Dec 12 20
1314 plays

24.

True Word Origins - 10 questions - 5 mins

Have you ever wondered where some words originated? Here are ten possible sources for useful words in the English language...enjoy!

Tough, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jun 14 21

Tough
thejazzkickazz

Jun 14 21
1586 plays

25.

Zaftig? - 10 questions - 3 mins

Got zaftig? Here are some Z words that may or may not be derived from other languages. Please enjoy!

Average, 10 Qns, alexis722, Mar 30 15

Average
alexis722
323 plays

26.

Can You Rephrase That? Nummer Vier (4) - 10 questions - 7 mins

Since this quiz is "nummer vier" (4) in Dutch, appropriately the first question is about the Dutch. (Sources include, but are not limited to: "I've Got Goose Pimples"; "Reader's Digest" & "Why We Say It".)

Difficult, 10 Qns, logcrawler, Sep 06 10

Difficult
logcrawler

313 plays

27.

Can You Rephrase That? - 10 questions - 6 mins

In response to another author's challenge, I decided to research some common phrases and words that Americans and other English speakers use. Hope you enjoy the quiz!

Difficult, 10 Qns, logcrawler, Mar 30 10

Difficult
logcrawler

982 plays

28.

Can You Rephrase That? Numero Tres - 10 questions - 6 mins

Third in a series of the origins of words and phrases in the English language. Now, let's see if you can get the first question "right on the nose."

Tough, 10 Qns, logcrawler, Aug 30 10

Tough
logcrawler

511 plays

29.

Pseudograms - Fabricated Words - 10 questions - 4 mins

Use your knowledge of prefixes and suffixes to determine the made-up word from the given definition!

Average, 10 Qns, logikzer0, Aug 28 16

Average
logikzer0

Aug 28 16
456 plays

30.

Word and Phrase Origins - 15 questions - 4 mins

Etymology is the study of word and phrase origins. Popular misconceptions about the origin of words and phrases abound. This quiz tries to clear up some of these errors. I hope you either do well, or enjoy learning something about our rich language.

Average, 15 Qns, Pookiepay, Feb 11 04

Average
Pookiepay
781 plays

31.

Word Families - 10 questions - 4 mins

When learning a language, it matters that one recognizes related words. Sometimes appearances are deceptive. See which of the four words is "the unrelated outsider".

Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Dec 16 14

Tough
flem-ish
897 plays

32.

What's in a Name? - 10 questions - 7 mins

Imagine if we were called by the meaning of our names rather than by the names themselves. Some of us might have a hard time living up to our appellations! Can you figure out the names that match these meanings?

Very Difficult, 10 Qns, Cymruambyth, Jan 26 10

Very Difficult
Cymruambyth

628 plays

33.

10 Questions: Word Origins Multiple Choice Quiz - 10 questions - 4 mins

This is a quiz about some obscure origins of words in the English language. Enjoy!

Tough, 10 Qns, fuadj, Mar 02 15

Tough
fuadj
954 plays

34.

Phrases, Myths and Ancient History - 10 questions - 6 mins

Myths have made their way into our language in so many ways. The following involve some common idioms which relate to myths and a little bit of history...

Difficult, 10 Qns, alkmene, Apr 01 10

Difficult
alkmene
1216 plays

35.

Origins of English words and phrases - 10 questions - 5 mins

Interesting origins to common words and phrases.

Tough, 10 Qns, vendome, Jan 24 15

Tough
vendome
2235 plays

36.

X-raying Words - 10 questions - 4 mins

In a word there often is more than meets the eye. The better we see what is "under the skin" of words, the more efficiently we can handle them. So here is another quiz on "word-archeology".

Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Jul 28 19

Average
flem-ish
Jul 28 19
744 plays

37.

Son of Origins of Words and Phrases - 10 questions - 6 mins

More strange origins of familiar words and phrases.

Difficult, 10 Qns, vendome, May 24 14

Difficult
vendome
1985 plays

38.

Word Links - 10 questions - 5 mins

We often are blind to the historic links there are between words. This quiz points out some such 'unexpected' relations between words.

Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Nov 20 15

Average
flem-ish
1690 plays

39.

Words With A Story - 10 questions - 5 mins

There are so many words we use frequently without noticing there is some kind of story linked to them. See if you can link these with their supposed origin, meaning etc.

Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Jun 18 12

Tough
flem-ish
1075 plays

40.

What 's In A Word ? - 10 questions - 7 mins

There often is more in a word or name than meets the eye. Understanding the background and origin of a word helps us to know what we are talking about. Have a try.

Difficult, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Feb 20 23

Difficult
flem-ish
Feb 20 23
1072 plays

41.

Word and name origins popular trivia quiz

- 10 questions - 6 mins

Many words and names have pretty banal origins, hopefully here are some that will make you say 'Oh really?'. There is a slightly anatomical bias to many of the questions. British based.

Very Difficult, 10 Qns, satguru, Oct 14 22

Very Difficult
satguru

Oct 14 22
1131 plays

42.

Word Origins From History - 10 questions - 5 mins

Here are some questions about word origins that derive from History.

Tough, 10 Qns, robert362, May 09 10

Tough
robert362
3772 plays

43.

Word Histories - 10 questions - 4 mins

Words keep changing. In strange ways they may get new forms and/or new meanings.See if you can identify the correct "links".

Average, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Mar 31 21

Average
flem-ish
Mar 31 21
904 plays

44.

Fun with Etymology - 10 questions - 4 mins

Where do these words come from?

Tough, 10 Qns, maggie99, Mar 12 14

Tough
maggie99
1545 plays

45.

Word origins Quiz for Experts - 10 questions - 5 mins

Find the modern English words from the description of their origins.

Average, 10 Qns, meshkenet, Dec 20 18

Average
meshkenet
Dec 20 18
679 plays

46.

Surprising Links - 10 questions - 6 mins

How did MUSTARD get the name it has? Because originally it was made with MUST or young wine rather than with vinegar. Similar 'links' in this quiz.-You get hints about the length of the word , and its first and last letter.

Average, 10 Qns, chrissie_26, Jan 08 10

Average
chrissie_26
1448 plays

47.

Words ... words ... words - 10 questions - 6 mins

The origins of words are often hotly debated. In this quiz most of the word-origins are generally accepted by the current etymologists. Try an educated guess?

Difficult, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Jul 21 22

Difficult
flem-ish
Jul 21 22
1360 plays

48.

Interesting Word Origins - 10 questions - 5 mins

See if you cannot decipher the origins of these fascinating words of the English language...good luck!

Tough, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Feb 13 03

Tough
thejazzkickazz

786 plays

49.

Words Too Have Family - 10 questions - 6 mins

Many modern words describe a former function or are derivatives of words enclosing that function. E.g., a 'Colonel' was a leader of a 'COLONNA ' (Italian for column). In this quiz, identify the modern words that evolved from their various roots.

Average, 10 Qns, chrissie_26, Sep 29 09

Average
chrissie_26
1784 plays

50.

Words Tell Stories - 10 questions - 5 mins

Turkeys were thought to come from Turkey, copper was originally found on Cyprus, and denim was first imported from Nimes in France.('de Nimes'= from Nimes). We are daily using words we don't know the origins of anymore. Maybe this quiz might help?

Tough, 10 Qns, chrissie_26, Sep 24 16

Tough
chrissie_26
Sep 24 16
1047 plays

51.

Surprising Words and Word-Origins - 10 questions - 7 mins

If you take a second look at a word you often are in for a surprising link with another one. See if you can find the 'hidden origins' of some common and less common English words.

Tough, 10 Qns, flem-ish, Dec 10 05

Tough
flem-ish
873 plays

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Last Updated Mar 18 2023 5:46 AM

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