Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “likable” come from?

Likable derives from Middle English -able, from Old French -able, from Latin -abilis, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European līg-.

likable (English): Capable of being liked; Having qualities tending...

Definitions

  1. Capable of being liked; Having qualities tending...

Ancestry of “likable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishlikeTo enjoy, be pleased by; favor; be in favor of;...
2Dutchluikhatch; shutter; panel, as in a triptych
3Middle Dutchluke—
4Dutchluikento close, to shut
5Middle Dutchlukento close, to shut; to close, to become closed
6Old Dutchlūcan—
7Proto-West Germaniclūkanto close, to shut
8Proto-Germaniclūkanąto close, to shut; Alternative form of *leukaną
9Proto-Indo-Europeanlewǵ-to break, tear; to break, shatter

Words derived from “likable”

  • likableness
  • likably
Every word from Proto-Indo-European lewǵ- →