Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “ok” come from?

OK derives from the jocular abbreviation "oll korrect," an intentional misspelling of "all correct" that became popularized in American English during the 19th century.

ok (English): Endorsement; approval; To approve; To confirm by...

Definitions

  1. Endorsement; approval; To approve; To confirm by...

Ancestry of “ok”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Englisholl korrectAll right; okay
2Englishall correct—

Words derived from “ok”

  • OK
  • ksec
  • OKish
  • oll korrect
  • k-
  • all correct
  • Oc
  • окей
  • OK
  • OK
  • OK
  • 오케이
  • โอเค
  • ocê
  • oce
  • okee
Every word from English all correct →