Where does “goal” come from?

Goal comes from Middle English gol, from Old English gāl, of unknown origin.

goal (English): A result that one is attempting to achieve; In...

Definitions

  1. A result that one is attempting to achieve; In...

Ancestry of “goal”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle Englishgolboundary, limit
2Old Englishgālobstacle, barrier, marker; wanton; wicked; bad;...
3Basquegailudevice
4Proto-Germanicgailōa gap; crevice; chasm; ravine
5Proto-Indo-Europeanǵʰēy-to yawn, gape; to go

Words derived from “goal

Every word from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰēy-
goal — Etymology, Origin & Word History | Etymology Explorer