Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “unsuitable” come from?

Unsuitable derives from English suitable, which comes from English suit, ultimately tracing to Latin sequī meaning "to follow," the source of words describing things that follow or accord with requirements.

unsuitable (English): Not suitable; unfit; inappropriate

Definitions

  1. Not suitable; unfit; inappropriate

Ancestry of “unsuitable”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishsuitableHaving sufficient or the required properties for...
2EnglishsuitA set of clothes to be worn together, now...
3Middle EnglishsuteClothes or clothing; especially those that match;...
4Anglo-Normansuitepursuit
5Vulgar Latinsequita—
6LatinsequorI follow, come or go after
7Proto-Italicsekʷōrfollow, come/go after
8Proto-Indo-Europeansékʷetorto be following
9Proto-Indo-Europeansekʷ-to follow; to see; to say

Words derived from “unsuitable”

  • unsuitability
  • unsuitably
  • unsuitableness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European sekʷ- →