Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “orgy” come from?

Orgy comes from French orgies, from Latin orgia, from Ancient Greek ὄργια, which denoted secret religious rites or rituals.

orgy (English): Originally, secret rites or ceremonies, typically...

Definitions

  1. Originally, secret rites or ceremonies, typically...

Ancestry of “orgy”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchorgies—
2Latinorgiaa nocturnal festival in honor of Bacchus,...
3Ancient Greekὄργιαsecret rites, secret worship, practiced by the...

Words derived from “orgy”

  • orgic
  • orgies
Every word from Ancient Greek ὄργια →