Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “also” come from?

Also comes from Middle English also, from Old English ealswā, a compound of eal (all) and swā (so).

also (English): In addition; besides; as well; further; too; To...

Definitions

  1. In addition; besides; as well; further; too; To...

Ancestry of “also”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishalso—
2Old Englisheallswājust so; as; completely so, additionally, just...
3Proto-Germanic*allswā—

Words derived from “also”

  • als
Every word from Proto-Germanic *allswā →