Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “phil-” come from?

phil- (English) comes from Ancient Greek φίλος, from Proto-Indo-European bʰil-o-s, from Proto-Indo-European bʰil- — good, decent; decent, good, harmonious, friendly;...

phil- (English): fondness for; favor of; respect for

Definitions

  1. fondness for; favor of; respect for

Ancestry of “phil-”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient GreekφίλοςThat which is loved or important: beloved, dear;...
2Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰil-o-s—
3Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰil-good, decent; decent, good, harmonious, friendly;...

Words derived from “phil-”

  • anthropology
  • philanthropy
  • anthropological
  • philanthropist
  • philanthropistic
  • anthropologist
  • philanthropoid
  • theophilanthropist
  • anthropogenic
  • aphilanthropy
  • anthropomorphic
  • polyanthropy
  • anthropocentric
  • anthropomorphism
  • misanthropy
  • anthropoid
  • Anthropos
  • anthropologically
  • paleoanthropology
  • anthroposophy
  • lycanthropy
  • anthropophagy
  • anthropologic
  • anthropogenically
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰil- →