Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cyclist” come from?

Cyclist comes from English cycle, ultimately from Ancient Greek κύκλος meaning "circle" or "wheel," combined with English -ist to denote a person who rides a bicycle.

cyclist (English): A person who rides a cycle, especially a bicycle,...

Definitions

  1. A person who rides a cycle, especially a bicycle,...

Ancestry of “cyclist”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishcycleAn interval of space or time in which one set of...
2Catalanciclecycle
3Latincyclusa circle; a cycle, recurring period; a branding...
4Ancient Greekκύκλοςcircle, ring; Any circular object, such as a...
5Proto-Indo-Europeankʷékʷloswheel; circle
6Proto-Indo-Europeankʷel-to turn

Words derived from “cyclist”

  • noncyclist
  • paracyclist
  • track cyclist
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kʷel- →