The Hebrew Etymology Explorer

1,200+ Word Origins from 651 Haaretz Columns

א

אָבִיב

spring (the season)

seasonsbiblicalnature

אַבִּיר

knight (noble title)

biblicalnobilitytitles

אברך

married yeshiva student; kollel student

biblicalhapaxancient

אֱגוֹז

nut (generic); originally: walnut tree

persian-originloanwordfood

אַגַּרְטָל

vase

biblicalhapax-legomenonmystery

אַדְרִיכָל

architect

architecturetalmudicaramaic-origin

אוֹגֵר

hamster (Mesocricetus auratus, Syrian or golden hamster)

animalszoologyaharoni

אוֹטוֹטוֹ

in a moment, any second now

yiddish-originslangtime-expression

אוֹמִקְרוֹן

omicron (Greek letter); small O

greek-originalphabetancient

אָוַנְטָה

scam, fraud, con; (later) pretense, showing off

slangarabic-originturkish-mediated

אוֹנָנוּת

masturbation

biblicaltalmudiczoroastrian-influence

אוֹפַנּוֹעַ

motorcycle

modern-coinageben-yehudatechnology

אזדרכת

chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach)

arabic-originpersian-originbotany

אַזְעָקָה

air-raid siren / alarm

militaryemergencybiblical-root

אחד

one (the number)

biblicalancientproto-semitic

אָחוּז

percent (%)

mathematicsfinancebiblical-root

אַחְלָה

great, awesome, excellent

arabic-originslangadjective

איטליז

butcher shop

greek-origintalmudicfood

אִיטְרִיָּה

noodle, pasta

talmudic-revivalfoodgreek-origin

אֵיכוּתִי

quality (adjective), high-quality

greek-originphilosophical-termloan-translation

איכס

exclamation of disgust; yuck, ew

arabic-originslangexclamation

איכשהו

somehow

modern-coinagegrammarcompound

אירוניה

irony

greek-originloanwordrhetoric

אישה

woman

biblicalancientgender

אלונקה

stretcher (medical)

aramaic-originpersian-originben-yehuda

אַלּוּף

champion; IDF Major General (aluf)

biblicalmilitarysports

אַלְכּוֹהוֹל

alcohol

fooddrinksarabic-origin

אֲלֻנְקָה

stretcher

militarymedicaltalmudic

אמינות

authenticity; credibility; reliability

biblicalroot-familymodern-coinage

אמפתיה

empathy

greek-originloanwordpsychology

אנדנדינו

eeny-meeny-miny-moe; Israeli counting-out rhyme

folk-languagechildrengames

אָנֶקְדּוֹטָה

anecdote

literaturestorytellinggreek-origin

אַפִּיפְיוֹר

pope

aramaic-origintalmudicmedieval

אֲפִיקוֹמָן

afikoman (the Passover seder's hidden matzah)

greek-originpassoverseder

אַפְלָיָה

discrimination

sociallawpolitics

אֹפֶן

manner, way, mode

biblicalhapax-legomenonarabic-influence

אָפְנָה

fashion

fashionclothingben-yehuda

אפס

zero

mathematicsnumbersbiblical

אַפְסַנְיָה

military supply depot / quartermaster stores

militarymishnaicgreek-origin

אפשרות

possibility; option

talmudicetymology-disputedgrammar

אָקָדֶמְיָה

academy

greek-originloanwordinstitution

ארטיק

popsicle; ice lolly

foodbrand-namefrench-origin

אַרְטִישׁוֹק

artichoke

foodvegetablesarabic-origin

אַרְיֵה

lion

animalsbiblicalancient

ארכיון

archive

loanwordgreek-origingovernment

אִשָּׁה

woman

biblicalancientgender

אַשְׁכָּרָה

literally / really / for real (intensifier)

slangarabic-originpersian-origin

אַשְׁלְגָן

potassium (chemical element)

chemistrysciencetalmudic

אִשְׁפּוּז

hospitalization

aramaic-originlatin-originmedical-term

את

direct object marker (accusative particle)

biblicalancientgrammar

ב

בָּא לִי

I feel like (it); I want (to)

colloquialarabic-influencemizrahi

בַּאְסָה

bummer, drag; a state of dejection or bad luck

arabic-originslangmizrahi

בֻּבָּה

doll

ben-yehudaacademy-approvedfrench-origin

בֻּבָּה

doll

ben-yehudacoinedmodern

בְּדוֹלַח

crystal (glass); in biblical context: bdellium resin

biblicalakkadian-originarchaeology

בדיל

tin (the metal)

technologymaterialsmodern-coinage

בּוֹ-זְמַנִּית

simultaneously

moderncalquegrammar

בּוֹט

bot (software robot)

technologyloanwordenglish-origin

בוטן

peanut

foodplantsbiblical

בּוּל

stamp (postage); bullseye / exactly; log of wood

biblicalpolysemyakkadian-origin

בּוֹלְעָן

sinkhole

geologycoinedaramaic-origin

בורג

screw (fastener); also: to thread/weave through (figurative)

technologytoolsben-yehuda

בורסה

stock exchange

economicsfinanceloanword

בּוּרְקִינִי

burkini (full-body modest swimsuit)

fashionloanwordarabic-origin

בֵּז׳

beige (color)

loanwordfrench-origincolors

בֵּז׳

beige (color) — second column version

loanwordfrench-origincolors

בָּזָק

lightning flash; (modern) flash/instant (in compounds); also: the name of Israel's national telephone company

biblicalhapax-legomenontechnology

בְּחִירוֹת

elections

politicsbiblicalrevival

בְּחָפְשִׁיּוּת

freely (adverb); in a free manner

grammarlinguisticsadverbs

בֵּטוֹן

concrete (building material)

loanwordtechnologyconstruction

בֵּיצָה

egg

biblicalfoodben-yehuda

בֵּית חוֹלִים

hospital

calquegerman-originmedicine

בֵּית מַרְזֵחַ

tavern, drinking establishment; originally: a religious drinking confraternity

biblicalugariticaramaic-origin

בֻּלְבּוּל

bulbul (songbird); slang: penis (children's language)

animalsbirdspersian-origin

בֻּלְבּוּל

bulbul (bird); penis (slang)

birdslanganatomy

בֻּלְבּוּל

penis (childish slang); Bulbul (bird)

slangbirdloanword

בלגן

mess, disorder, chaos

slangmilitarydisorder

בלוט / בלוטה

acorn (בלוט); gland (בלוטה)

botanymedicineanatomy

בְּלוֹרִית

forelock; quiff (tuft of hair at the front of the head)

talmudichairfashion

בַּלְיָן

party-goer, pleasure-seeker, nightlife regular

leisureentertainmentmodern-coinage

בְּלִיַּעַל

villain, scoundrel (in phrase בֶּן-בְּלִיַּעַל); also a demonic figure in Second Temple literature

biblicaldemonologyetymology-disputed

בַּלְשָׁן / בֶּלְשָׁן

linguist; also detective (בַּלָּשׁ)

languagelinguisticspolice

בַּמַּאי / בִּמּוּי

film/theater director (במאי); directing as an art (בימוי)

theaterfilmarts

בַּעֲלִיל

manifestly; openly; clearly (as in 'manifestly unlawful')

biblicallegalmilitary

בְּעָלִים

owner(s); proprietor(s) — also serves as grammatical singular 'owner' despite plural form

grammarlinguisticsbiblical

בְּצִקְלֹנוֹ

in his fresh-ear-of-grain (container); a hapax legomenon interpreted as 'fresh grain stalk'

biblicalhapax-legomenonugaritic

בְּצִקְלֹנוֹ

fresh ear of grain

biblicalugariticphilology

בְּרֵאשִׁית

In the beginning / At the beginning of

biblicaltheologygrammar

בַּרְוָז

duck

animalsbirdsaramaic-origin

ג

ד

דֹּאַר

mail, post; (דַּוָּר) mail carrier, postman

talmudicpersian-origincalque

דֶּגֶל

flag; (historically) military division/regiment

biblicalsemiticancient

דּוּגְרִי

straight-talking, direct, candid (as adverb: straight, directly, frankly)

loanwordarabic-originturkish-origin

דּוֹח

report (noun); to report (verb: לְדַוֵּחַ)

acronymtalmudicmodern

דּוֹס

a religious (Orthodox) Jew; originally a slang term, now reclaimed

slangashkenazi-originpersian-origin

דַּוְקָא

specifically; precisely; on the contrary; (emphatic) just, of all things; (when done to annoy) on purpose

aramaictalmudyiddish

דַּוְקָא

specifically, precisely; to spite, contrary to expectations

slangtalmudicaramaic-origin

דַּחְקוּת

laughter (slang, from Arabic); related to the Hebrew-Aramaic family of 'laugh' words

slangarabic-originproto-semitic

דַּיֶּלֶת

flight attendant (female); male form: דַּיָּל

greek-originaramaic-origintalmudic

דֵּמוֹקְרַטְיָה

democracy

greek-originloanwordmodern

דְּפוּס

printing; printing press; (historically) mold, template

greek-origintalmudicloanword

דִּקְדּוּק

grammar; also: precision, meticulousness

talmudicmedievalspain

דְּרַגְנוֹעַ

escalator

moderntechnologyaramaic-origin

דַּרְדָּלֶה

weak, ineffective, feeble (originally: a weak kick in football)

slangfootballarabic-origin

דַּרְדָּס

Smurf (the fictional blue creatures); historically: sandal or foot-covering

talmudicaramaic-originlatin-origin

דָּרוֹם

south

biblicalancientsemitic

ה

הֵא הַיְּדִיעָה

the definite article (the Hebrew letter heh as the definite article)

grammarproto-semiticcanaanite

הִבְרִיז

to stand someone up; to bail on a commitment; to betray trust

slangmodernmilitary

הֲדָחָה / הַדָּחָה

1. impeachment / removal from office; 2. subornation (inducing someone to commit a crime); 3. rinsing/washing (in kashrut)

biblicaltalmudichomonymy

הַדָּרָה

exclusion (social/political); also: glorification (a homophone with different root)

rabbinicmodern-hebrewsecularization

הדרים

citrus fruits (collective noun)

biblicalfoodbotany

הֲדָתָה

religionization; the process of making something or someone more religious

modernacademy-approvedpersian-origin

הַיּוּשׁ

hi; hey (informal greeting, mostly among young women)

slanggreetingmodern-hebrew

הֲכִי

the most (superlative/intensifier prefix); originally a Biblical interrogative particle

biblicalgrammarsuperlative

הַלְוַאי

if only; I wish; would that

aramaicproto-semiticwish-particle

הֲלִיכוֹן

baby walker; walking frame (for rehabilitation); treadmill

modernnative-hebrewtechnology

הִמּוּר

gambling; a bet; a wager

gamblingtalmudrashi

הִמּוּר

gambling, betting

talmudicrabbiniclinguistic-evolution

הִמְנוֹן

hymn, national anthem

loanwordgreek-originnational

הֶמְצִיא

he invented; (phonological note) the hif'il binyan vowel shift from hirik to segol

phonologyhifil-binyanpronunciation-shift

הַנְדָּסָה

engineering; geometry (in school curriculum)

persian-originarabic-mediationgeometry

הַסְלָמָה

escalation

calqueneologismratosh

הַפְגָנָה

demonstration, protest march

talmudic-aramaiccoinagelazar

הַצְבָּעָה

voting; a vote

democracyben-yehudasokolov

הַרְפַּתְקָה

adventure; formerly: hardship, tribulation

aramaic-originpersian-originsemantic-shift

הַרְצָאָה

lecture; presentation

ben-yehudacoinagetalmudic-revival

הַשְׁמָצָה

defamation, slander

biblicaltalmudicethics

הַשָּׁקָה

launch / launching

maritimetechnologyneologism

הִתְאַקְּלְמוּת

acclimatization; adaptation to a new environment

greek-originarabic-mediationhebrew-revival

הִתְבּוֹלְלוּת

assimilation (original meaning); intermarriage with non-Jews (current Israeli usage)

modern-coinagesemantic-shiftjewish-identity

הִתְכַּרְבְּלוּת

snuggling; wrapping oneself up; curling up (in bed or with someone)

akkadian-origindisputed-etymologymodern-hebrew

התמקחות

bargaining / haggling

shlonskymodern-hebrewbiblical

הִתְנַחֲלוּת

settlement (in the West Bank/occupied territories); settler movement

biblicalpoliticalzionism

התעלסות

lovemaking

biblicalmedievalpoetic

הִתְפֻּטַּר

to be involuntarily dismissed (passive-reflexive: forced out of a position)

neologismgrammarbinyan

התקרנפות

conforming; joining the herd; losing individuality to a mass movement

theaterpoliticssocial-behavior

הַתָּשָׁה

attrition; exhaustion; wearing down

aramaic-originmilitarytalmudic

ח

חַד-קֶרֶן

unicorn

grammarprefixesmythology

חָוָה

to experience; also: farm (חַוָּה); to express an opinion (חַוַּת דַּעַת)

philosophyagriculturerevival

חָוָה

to experience; (n.) חַוָּה: farm; (n.) חַוַּת דַּעַת: opinion

biblicalphilosophyagriculture

חוּמוּס

chickpea (the legume); hummus (the dip)

foodagricultureArabic-loanword

חָזִיָּה

bra, brassiere (originally: vest/waistcoat)

clothingrevivalcalque

חָזִיָּה

bra, brassiere

clothingcalquearabic-origin

חֲזֶרֶת

horseradish (plant and condiment)

passoverfoodmishnaic

חַיְזַר

alien (extraterrestrial being)

science-fictionmodern-coinageportmanteau

חַיָּל

soldier

militaryBen-Yehudarevival

חַיָּל

soldier

militaryben-yehudaarabic-origin

חלטורה

a side gig; a piece of hack work; a shoddy job

Russian-loanwordLatinGreek

חללית

spaceship

spacetransportationneologism

חֻלְצָה

shirt (top garment)

clothingrevivalKlausner

חֻלְצָה

shirt

clothingneologismklausner

חַמָּנִיָּה

sunflower

plantsagriculturerevival

חַמָּנִיָּה

sunflower

foodplantsagriculture

חַמְסִין

hamsin (hot desert wind)

weatherArabic-loanwordIsrael

חמצן

oxygen

chemistrysciencecoinage

חנוכה

Hanukkah (the Jewish festival of lights)

religionholidaybiblical

חנטריש

nonsense; fake; of poor quality; something worthless or pretentious

slangarabic-loanwordgreek-origin

חִסּוּל

elimination; targeted killing; liquidation

militaryviolencebialik

חִסּוּל

liquidation, elimination, assassination

militaryslangbialik

חסידה

white stork (Ciconia ciconia)

biblicalbirdskashrut

חפיש

searchable

internettechnologyneologism

חֲפַרְפֶּרֶת

mole (the animal)

faunabiblicalhapax

חֻפְשָׁה

vacation; leave (from work)

biblicalsemantic-shiftfreedom

חֻפְשָׁה

vacation

biblicalworkdistinction

חַצְ׳קוּן

pimple, acne spot (slang)

slangbodyyouth-language

חַצְ׳קוּן

pimple, acne lesion

slangbodyphonetics

חָצִיל

eggplant, aubergine

foodplantsArabic-origin

חַקְלַאי

farmer, agriculturalist

agriculturerevivalAramaic-origin

חָרָא

shit, excrement (vulgar)

vulgarbiblicalsemitic

חֲרוֹסֶת

haroset (Passover condiment)

passoverfoodmishnaic

חֵרֶם

boycott; ban; excommunication; confiscation

biblicalrabbiniclaw

חֲרֹֽסֶת

Passover fruit paste

foodpassovermishnaic

חָרָק

insect

biologynaturecalque

חָשִׁישׁ

cannabis / hashish (also: grass, hay in classical Arabic)

drugsetymologyhistory

חָתוּל

cat

animalsTannaiticancient

חָתִיךְ

hunk, hot guy (attractive male)

slangcolloquialbody

ט

טבעונות

veganism (also historically: naturopathy, raw-food diet)

foodphilosophynature

טַבָּק

tobacco

loanwordarabicturkish

טְוָח

range (of a weapon or scale)

militarymeasurementneologism

טְוָח

range (distance); scope; spectrum

neologismRatoshmilitary

טוּסְטוּס

scooter (motorized two-wheeled vehicle)

slangonomatopoeiatransport

טוּסְטוּס

scooter (motor scooter)

onomatopoeiafolk-etymologytransport

טוּסִיק

little bottom, tushie (affectionate term for buttocks, especially of children)

yiddishbodyslang

טוּסִיק

tushie; little bottom (affectionate, especially of children)

Yiddish-loanwordHebrew-originbody-language

טְחוֹרִים

hemorrhoids

medicinebiblicalaramaic

טְחוֹרִים

hemorrhoids

biblicalAramaicTalmud

טיול

trip, excursion, hike, stroll

biblical-rootleisuremodern-revival

טִיזִינַבִּי

a remote, forgotten, godforsaken place

Arabic-loanwordMoroccan-Arabicslang

טִיזֶנָבִּי

a remote, forgotten place; the back of beyond

slangarabicmoroccan

טַיְקוּן

tycoon (magnate, business mogul)

japaneseloanwordeconomics

טַיְקוּן

tycoon; magnate; captain of industry

Japanese-loanwordEnglish-mediatedeconomics

טמבוריה

tambourine

loanwordmusictalmudic

טִפֵּשׁ

stupid, foolish (adjective/noun)

cognitioninsulttalmudic

טִפֵּשׁ

stupid; a fool; an idiot

AkkadianAramaicbiblical-hapax

טֶקֶס

ceremony, ritual, formal event

ceremonygreekloanword

טֶקֶס

ceremony; ritual

neologismBen-YehudaGreek-loanword

טרפד

to torpedo; (figuratively) to sabotage, to derail

coinedmilitarypress

טרקטור

tractor; (colloquial) any heavy construction vehicle

loanwordagriculturelatin

טְרַקְלִין

living room, salon, grand hall

architecturegreeklatin

טְרַקְלִין

living room; drawing room; parlor

Greek-loanwordLatinTalmud

י

כ

כְּאִלּוּ

as if; discourse particle (hedging, reformulation, quotation)

particlesdiscourse-markersslang

כְּאִלּוּ

as if, like

slangmishnaicbiblical

כַּבַּאי

firefighter

modern-Hebrewcoinage20th-century

כַּדּוּר הָאָרֶץ

the globe; the spherical Earth

geographysciencemedieval

כּוֹבַע

hat; helmet (biblical)

biblicalindo-europeanphilistine

כּוֹכַב לֶכֶת

planet

coinedTalmudicastronomy

כּוּר

furnace, smelting crucible; (modern) nuclear reactor

biblicalancientborrowed

כּוּשִׁי

Cushite; historically: Black person — now a taboo slur

biblicalracial-slursocial-history

כִּידוֹן

javelin; (colloquial) bicycle handlebar

weaponsbiblicalhurrian-loanword

כַּיָּס

pickpocket

modern-Hebrewcoinageitamar-ben-avi

כֵּיף

fun, enjoyment, a good time

borrowedArabicslang

כְּלַבְלָבוֹנְצִ׳יק

tiny puppy (illustrative form showing Hebrew diminutive stacking)

diminutivesmorphologyword-formation

כְּלַבְלָבוֹנְצִ׳יק

tiny puppy (illustrative form showing Hebrew diminutive stacking)

diminutivesmorphologyword-formation

כֶּלַח

old age / vigor (meaning unknown)

idiombiblicalhapax-legomenon

כְּלִי

vessel, utensil, instrument, tool; (colloquial) a capable person

biblicalyiddish-influenceidioms

כַּלָּנִית

anemone (the flower Anemone coronaria); lit. 'little bride'

AramaicTalmudicbotany

כָּלַנְתָּרִיזְם

political opportunism; switching parties for personal gain

eponympolitical-slangmodern-Hebrew

כֹּמֶר

priest (of a non-Jewish religion); Christian clergyman

biblicalancient-semitichurrian-loan

כֵּן

yes (affirmative); also: so, thus; honest/upright; stand/base; louse

biblicalmedievalpolysemy

כִּנּוּר

violin (modern); in the Bible: a plucked string instrument (probably a lyre)

musicinstrumentsbiblical-reuse

כִּנּוּר

violin

musical-instrumentsbiblicalacademy-approved

כְּנֶסֶת

the Knesset — Israel's parliament; gathering, assembly

politicsparliamenthistory-of-zionism

כַּסְפּוֹמַט

ATM (automated teller machine)

portmanteaucoinedmodern

כִּפָּה

kippah (Jewish skullcap); dome, vault

judaismreligionclothing

כִּפָּה

skullcap, kippah

clothingreligionmodern-hebrew

כַּפְכַּף

sandal / flip-flop

arabic-loanwordben-yehudaphonetic-change

כַּפָּרָה

atonement; (colloquial) term of endearment: 'my darling, my dear'

biblicalMishnaicAkkadian

כְּרוּב

cabbage; (biblical) cherub

foodvegetablesgreek-loanword

כרוכית

the @ sign; also: strudel pastry

technologypunctuationfood

כָּרִישׁ

shark

talmudicaramaicgreek-origin

כַּרְעֵי תַּרְנְגֹלֶת

chicken legs (idiom: on shaky ground, unstable)

idiomyiddish-calquetalmud

כְּרֵשָׁה

leek (Allium porrum)

plantsfoodsemitic-cognates

כְּרֵשָׁה

leek

foodvegetablessemitic

כְּתַב אִשּׁוּם

indictment (literally: 'document of accusation')

legalmodern-hebrewneologism

כֻּתְנָה

cotton (the fabric)

textilesancientrevival

ל

מ

מְאֻזָּן וּמְאֻנָּךְ

horizontal and vertical

sciencegeometryneologism

מְאֻנָּךְ

vertical, perpendicular

geometrydirectionmodern-coinage

מְאֻנָּךְ

vertical, perpendicular

modernbiblicalcalque

מְאֻשָּׁר

happy; approved, authorized

biblicalrabbinicpolysemy

מְאֻשָּׁר

happy / approved

biblicaltalmudiclinguistics

מִבְצָע

operation (military); sale, bargain; undertaking

modern-coinagemilitarycommerce

מִגְדָּר

gender (social/cultural)

modern-coinagesociologyfeminism

מַגָּל

sickle

biblicalproto-SemiticAfroasiatic

מַדָּע בִּדְיוֹנִי

science fiction

calquemodernliterary-genre

מַדְפֶּסֶת

printer (computer printing device)

technologycomputersneologism

מָה פִּתְאוֹם

what do you mean?; no way!; that's absurd (expression of incredulous rejection)

idiomcalqueYiddish

מוֹנִיטִין וּמִסְתּוֹרִין

reputation (monitin) and mystery/secret (mistorin) — a paired entry on two words with misleading -in endings

LatinGreekloanword

מוּסָךְ

garage; auto repair shop

vehiclestechnologyneologism

מוֹקֵד

focus; focal point; hearth (biblical)

scienceopticsbiblical-revival

מוּתָג

brand (commercial brand name)

commercelanguage-revivalbranding

מַזְגָּן

air conditioner

technologyclimatelanguage-revival

מְזֻיָּן

armed; (slang) screwed, duped

loanwordPersian-originAramaic

מְזֻיָּן

armed; fucked (slang)

militaryslangloanword

מַזְרֵק

syringe, hypodermic needle

biblicalmedicalBen-Yehuda

מְחַבְּלִים

terrorists (plural of מְחַבֵּל)

securityterrorismIDF

מֶחְדָּל

omission; serious failure, debacle

legalmodernbiblical-root

מָחֳרָתַיִם

the day after tomorrow

timelanguage-revivalYaavetz

מָחֳרָתַיִם

the day after tomorrow

timerevivalyavetz

מַחְשֵׁב / מַדְפֶּסֶת

computer / printer

technologymilitaryIBM

מַטְאֲטֵא

broom

biblicalhouseholdrevival

מָטוֹס

airplane

aviationBialikBen-Yehuda

מֵידָע

information

informationAvinerySharett

מִילְיַארְד

one billion (long scale) / one thousand million

numbersmathematicsFrench

מִלְגָּה

scholarship, stipend

RemezAramaiclegal

מְלָפְפוֹן

cucumber (currently); in Mishnaic Hebrew originally meant melon/muskmelon

foodvegetablesMishnah

מֵם

meme (internet); in biology: cultural replicator unit

loanwordinternetbiology

מִמְטָרִים

rain showers (meteorological)

meteorologymodern-coinageAcademy-debate

מַמָּשׁ

really, literally; substance, actuality

rabbinicAramaic-influenceYiddish

מַנְגִּינָה / מְנַגֵּן

melody / musician/player

musicbiblicalrevival

מִנְזָר

monastery, convent

coinedreligionYellin

מֵנִיעַ

motive; motivator

philosophymedievalArabic-calque

מַסּוֹק

helicopter

militarymodernIDF

מַסְטִיק

chewing gum

foodGreekSephardic

מַסֵּכָה

mask; also: a cast metal idol (original biblical meaning)

biblicalPurimcarnival

מְעַנְיֵן

interesting

language-revivalBen-Yehudacoinages

מְעָרָה

cave

biblicalWest-Semiticunderground

מֻפְלֶטָה

mufleta (a thin Moroccan pancake eaten at the Mimouna celebration)

foodMoroccan-JewryMimouna

מֻפְלֶטָה

Mofletta (Moroccan crepe)

foodmoroccanmimouna

מִפְרָעָה

installment payment; partial repayment

modern-coinagefinancelaw

מְצֻבְרָח

moody, in a bad mood

slangmoderntel-aviv

מְצֻבְרָח

irritable, grumpy, in a foul mood

slangGymnasia-Herzliyamodern-coinage

מַצָּה

matza (unleavened flatbread eaten at Passover)

biblicalPassoverfood

מַצִּיתִים

lighters (plural); spark plugs (plural of מַצָּת) — illustrates suppletion in Modern Hebrew

technologyvehiclesfire

מַצְלֵמָה

camera

technologyphotographylanguage-revival

מַצְפּוּן

conscience

ethicsmedievalbiblical-revival

מִקְלֶדֶת

keyboard

modern-coinagemusictechnology

מְקֻרְנָן

cuckold (a man whose wife commits adultery)

sexualityadulterytheater

מְקָרֵר

refrigerator

modern-coinagetechnologykitchen

מַרְחֶשֶׁת

acetabulum (hip socket); originally: a deep cooking vessel mentioned in Leviticus

biblicalcookinganatomy

מַרְכּוֹל

supermarket

commercebiblical-revivalneologism

מִרְפֶּסֶת

balcony, porch, veranda

rabbinicrevivalBen-Yehuda

מָרָתוֹן

marathon; long-distance running race of 42.195 km

sportsloanwordgreek

מַשְׁבֵּר

crisis

politicseconomicslanguage-revival

מַשֶּׁהוּ

something; anything

grammarpronounsTalmudic

מִשְׁטָרָה

police (force)

law-enforcementben-yehudaakkadian-origin

מַשְׁכּוּכִית

bellwether; lead animal of a flock

animalsshepherdingTalmud

מַשְׁמָעוּת

meaning; significance

TalmudAramaicmeaning

מִשְׁמֵשׁ

apricot

arabic-loanwordagriculturefruit

מִשְׁקָפַיִם

eyeglasses, spectacles

visionneologismhaskalah

מִשְׂרָד

office; ministry (government department)

Ben-Yehudamodern-coinagegovernment

מִשְׁתַּפֵּן

coward (literally: acting like a hyrax/rabbit)

animalsfolk-etymologymistranslation

מִתּוּן

recession; moderation

economicsrabbinicAramaic-borrowing

מִתּוּן

recession (economic)

economicsAramaic-originRabbinic

מִתְחַזְלְשִׁים

returning to routine (plural present participle)

slangmilitarymodern

מְתֻמָּן

octagon

geometrymathematicsmedieval

מְתֻמָּן

octagon

geometryacademy-approvedaramaic-origin

נ

נָגִיף

virus

biologytechnologymedicine

נָדִיר

rare

arabic-loanworddavid-yellinfrequency

נַדְנֵדָה

swing; seesaw

playgroundcoinageBen-Yehuda

נוּדְנִיק

nudnik; a bore, pest, tiresome nag

yiddish-loanwordslangpersonality

נוֹטָרִיקוֹן

notarikon; acrostic abbreviation system; acronym

greek-loanwordmishnahabbreviation

נוּרָה

light bulb

lightelectricity20th-century

נְחִישׁוּת

determination, resoluteness

semantic-shifterror-become-standard20th-century

נַחְלִיאֵלִי

white wagtail (Motacilla alba); a streamside bird

zoologybirdsmendele

נַחַת

contentment, gratification; also: force of the arm (in the phrase נַחַת זְרוֹעַ)

biblicalegyptian-loanwordrosetta-stone

נִיב

idiom; dialect; fang/tusk

polysemybiblical-hapaxaramaic

נִין

great-grandchild; (loosely) descendant

familybiblicalkinship

נְיַר טוּאָלֶט

toilet paper

loanwordfrench-origineuphemism

נְיַר טוּאָלֶט

toilet paper

everyday-lifefrench-originloanword

נֶכֶד / נִין / אַחְיָן

grandchild / great-grandchild or descendant / nephew-niece

biblicalkinshipfamily

נִמּוּל

tingling, numbness (paresthesia)

medicinebodyant

נִמּוּל

paresthesia

medicalanimalsmodern-hebrew

נָמָל

port, harbor

greek-loanwordcorruptionacademy-debate

נָמֵר

leopard (Panthera pardus); colloquially also tiger

zoologyanimalsbiblical

נִפְטַר

passed away, died (euphemism)

death-euphemismtalmudicancient

נַקְנִיקִיָּה

sausage (the food item); formerly also a sausage shop

foodgreek-loanwordtalmudic

נָשִׂיא

president; prince; leader

politicsbiblicalmodern-revival

נֶשֶׁר

griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus); formerly applied to eagle

biblicalzoologybird

ס

סַבַּבָּה

great, cool, fun, awesome

slangarabic-originmodern-hebrew

סְבִיבוֹן

dreidel (spinning top used on Hanukkah)

hanukkahcoinageben-yehuda

סַבְלָנוּת

patience

medieval-hebrewrashiaramaic-origin

סגלגל

lavender, light purple (color); formerly: oval

rabbinicaramaiccolor

סִגָּלוֹן

jacaranda (the ornamental tree with purple flowers)

botanymodern-hebrewtel-aviv

סֵדֶר

order, arrangement; the Passover Seder ceremony

Aramaic-borrowingbiblicalRabbinic-Hebrew

סוּגָה

genre (literary)

literary-termneologismaramaic

סוֶדֶר

sweater, pullover

loanwordenglish-originrussian-mediation

סוֹלְלָה

battery (electrical); artillery battery; siege ramp

biblicalmilitaryelectrical

סופגניה

doughnut (jelly-filled fried pastry)

foodGreek-loanwordHanukkah

סְטוּץ

a scene, happening, fling; now chiefly: a casual one-time sexual encounter

slangyiddish-originmodern-hebrew

סְטֵיְק

steak

foodenglish-loanwordold-norse

סְטֵיְק

steak

foodloanwordacademy-approved

סְטֵפָה

a thick stack or wad (usually of banknotes)

ladinogreek-originsephardic

סַיְבֶּר

Cyber (warfare, security, or crime)

technologyloanwordgreek-origin

סַיְבֶּר

cyber (as in cybersecurity, cyberattack, cyberwarfare)

technologyenglish-loanwordgreek-origin

סיגריה

cigarette

loanwordArabicSpanish

סיוט

nightmare

AramaicBen-Yehudademonology

סִין

China (the country)

geographycountry-namesyiddish-influence

סינדול

wheel clamp / Denver boot; to immobilize (verb: לסנדל)

loanwordPersianGreek

סִירָה

boat, small watercraft

nauticalbiblical-reuseback-formation

סַכּוּ״ם

cutlery (knife, fork, spoon set)

acronymmodern-hebrewvaad-halashon

סַכּוּ״ם

cutlery (knife, fork, spoon set)

acronymmodern-hebrewvaad-halashon

סֻכָּרִיָּה

candy, sweet

foodloanwordarabic

סֻכָּרִיָּה

candy

foodloanwordarabic-origin

סמים

drugs (illicit substances); originally: spices / medicinal herbs

biblicalsemantic-shiftlaw

סְנָאִי

squirrel

zoologymodern-hebrewhaskalah

סַנְדָּק

sandak — the man who holds the baby on his knees during circumcision; godfather

religious-termgreek-origincircumcision

סנטר

chin

TalmudRashianatomy

ססגוני

multicolored, variegated, colorful

AramaicPersiancolor

סֵפֶל

mug, cup (for hot drinks); originally a large bowl or basin

biblicalvesselsemantic-shift

סֶקְס

sex (the act); also: sexual attractiveness

loanwordEnglish-originmodern-Hebrew

סֶקֶר

survey; opinion poll

Aramaic-borrowingRabbinic-HebrewTalmud

סַרְבָּל

overalls; coveralls (a one-piece work garment)

biblical-aramaicpersian-originmodern-hebrew

סֶרֶט

film, movie; strip, ribbon

Rabbinic-HebrewBen-Yehudacinema

סַרְכֶּזֶת

centrifuge

sciencetechnologyneologism

סֶרֶן

captain (IDF rank); in the Bible: a Philistine ruler/lord

biblicalphilistine-loanwordidf

סַרְסוּר

broker, middleman; pimp (modern derogatory)

ancientphoenicianmishnah

סתיו

autumn, fall (season)

biblicalsemantic-shiftseasons

סְתַלְבֵּט

to loaf / slack off (intransitive); to mock or take advantage of someone (transitive + על)

slangarabic-originidf

ע

עָבָר, הוֹוֶה, עָתִיד

past, present, future (grammatical tenses)

grammartensetibonids

עִבְרִית

Hebrew (the language)

language-namebiblicalpersian

עַגְבָנִיָּה

tomato

foodbotanymodern-coinage

עַדְלָיָדַע

Adloyada — the Israeli Purim parade / carnival

purimholidaymodern-coinage

עֲדָשָׁה

lentil; (optical) lens; freckle (archaic)

biblicalbotanyoptics

עוֹרֵךְ דִּין

lawyer, attorney

lawprofessionMishnah

עֲזָאזֵל

Azazel; (idiom) to hell, go to hell

biblicalritualYom-Kippur

עָזָה

Gaza (city name)

place-namephonologyancient

עִטּוּשׁ / פִּהוּק / גִּהוּק / שִׁהוּק

sneeze / yawn / belch / hiccup

bodyphysiologyTalmud

עטלף

bat (the flying mammal)

biblicalzoologyHaskalah

עיטוש / פיהוק / גיהוק / שיהוק

sneeze / yawn / belch / hiccup

TalmudRashiBen-Yehuda

עכברוש

rat (Norway rat / brown rat)

zoologyyiddish-loanfolk-etymology

עכברת

leptospirosis (bacterial disease carried by rodents)

medicinediseasewikipedia-effect

עכברת

leptospirosis — second source column on the same word

medicinediseasewikipedia-effect

על טעם וריח אין להתווכח

there is no arguing about taste and smell

idiomshlonskytaste

עַל טַעַם וְרֵיחַ אֵין לְהִתְוַכֵּחַ

there's no accounting for taste

idiomshlonskymodern

עמות

confrontation

Modern-HebrewBen-Yehudabiblical

עִמּוּת

confrontation

modern-coinageconfrontationBen-Yehuda

עפיפון

kite (the flying toy)

childrenflightword-formation

עֲפִיצוּת

astringency; tannin-induced dryness

tastewinetannins

עפרון

pencil

toolswritingklausner

עצב / עצבים

nerve(s); sadness; to irritate/anger; to design/shape

polysemyarabic-loananatomy

עַצְמָאוּת

independence

modern-coinageben-yehudastatehood

עָרֹב

arov — the fourth plague of Egypt; traditionally translated as 'swarms' (of flies or wild animals)

biblicalplaguesexodus

עַרְדָּלַיִם

overshoes; (modern) disposable plastic shoe covers

talmudicshoesfootwear

עַרְפָּד

vampire

talmudicmythologyvampire

ערש

bed; cradle (literary); birthplace (figurative)

biblical-revivalhaskalahlullaby

עתון

newspaper

Ben-YehudacalqueGerman

פ

פִּגּוּעַ

terrorist attack

militarymodern-hebrewneologism

פִּגּוּעַ

terrorist attack; act of violence against civilians

militaryterrorismmodern-hebrew

פֹּה

here (this place)

adverbplacebiblical

פוחלץ

stuffed animal; taxidermy mount

mishnaic-Hebrewrevival-erazoology

פוך

down (feathers); also: eye-paint / kohl (biblical)

biblical-Hebrewhomonymcosmetics

פונדקאות

surrogacy (modern); innkeeping (historical)

greek-origintalmudicmodern-Hebrew

פופיק

belly button, navel (colloquial)

yiddish-originslavicbody-parts

פוקסיה

fuchsia (color and plant name)

colorsbotanyloanwords

פַּחַת

pit, deep hole in the ground

biblicalancientnoun-morphology

פַּטִּישׁ

hammer

biblicalancienttools

פֶּטֶל

raspberry (fruit); also colloquially: any concentrated fruit syrup

botanyfoodaramaic-origin

פִּטְמָה

nipple

anatomybotanicalmishnaic

פִּטְמָה

nipple (anatomical); also the protruding tip (pitam) of a citrus fruit, especially etrog

anatomybotanymishnaic

פִינְגָ'אן

finjan — small coffee pot (in Israeli Hebrew); small coffee cup (in Arabic)

loanwordarabicpersian

פִּינְגָּ'אן

coffee pot

coffeeloanwordgreek-origin

פִּיצוּצִיָּה

convenience store; kiosk

modern-coinagecommerceslang

פָלַאפֶל

falafel; deep-fried chickpea balls served in pita

foodarabic-originnational-symbol

פלוץ

fart (colloquial)

colloquialslanggerman-origin

פִלֵּחַ

to slip through / sneak past (also: התפלח, to sneak in)

slangmodernorganic

פִלֵּחַ / הִתְפָלֵחַ

to snatch or steal; to sneak in

slanganimal-origintalmudic-revival

פָּלִינְדְּרוֹם

palindrome (a word or phrase reading the same forwards and backwards)

linguisticsGreekborrowed

פלפל

pepper (both black pepper and bell/chili pepper)

mishnaic-Hebrewspicefood

פְּנִינָה

pearl

gemstonesbiblicalmeaning-shift

פסנתר

piano

musicrevival-eragreek-origin

פפיה

papaya

foodfruitarawak-origin

פְּצָצָה

bomb; explosive device

militaryben-yehudacoinage

פִקְשׁוּשׁ

minor blunder, small embarrassing failure

borrowedArabicslang

פִרְגּוּן

generosity of spirit; taking genuine pleasure in another's success

emotionsyiddish-originproto-germanic

פַּרְגִּית

young chicken; boneless chicken thigh fillet (modern culinary sense)

foodmishnaictalmudic

פַּרְוָה

fur; fur coat

Ben-YehudarevivalArabic-cognate

פרור

suburb

biblical-Hebrewrevival-erahaskalah

פְרֵחָה

freha — stereotyped Mizrahi woman; tacky or vulgar girl

slangethnicitysocial

פְרָיֶר

sucker, pushover, naive person who gets exploited

yiddish-loanrussianslang

פַּרְסוּמֶת

advertisement

coinedmediacommerce

פַּשְׁטִידָה

pastida; a baked dish (quiche, kugel, pie, or savory baked casserole)

foodmedievalLatin

פֹּת

vulva (anatomical term); the official modern Hebrew term for the female genitalia

anatomybiblical-hapaxmedical-terminology

פֹּת

vulva

biblicalanatomymedical

צ

צ׳פחה

a slap or blow to the head

slangblows-hitsarabic-influence

צ׳קלקה

flashing light (police or emergency beacon)

slangpolicevehicles

צָב

turtle, tortoise

biblicalzoologysemantic-shift

צַבָּר

sabra — native-born Israeli; also: prickly pear cactus plant

identityplantArabic-origin

צַדִּיק

the letter tsadi (צ); also: righteous person

alphabetphonologymedieval-hebrew

צַהֶבֶת

jaundice

coinedmedicinemodern-hebrew

צַוָּארוֹן גּוֹלְף

turtleneck (UK: polo neck)

clothingneologismloanword

צוֹלֶלֶת

submarine

coinedmilitarynaval

צֵידָנִית

cooler, portable icebox

neologismmodern-hebrewfood

צִיּוֹנוּת

Zionism

nationalismpoliticsplace-names

צִיצִי

breast (colloquial); nipple (informal)

anatomyyiddish-borrowingcolloquial

צִיתּוּת

wiretapping, eavesdropping

coinedlawsurveillance

צֹמֶת

intersection, junction

revivedtransporturban

צֹמֶת

junction, intersection

mishnaicinfrastructureacademy-approved

צֶנַע

austerity

neologismeconomicsreuven-alkalai

צעצוע

toy

toysbiblical-hapaxsemantic-shift

צַעַר

sorrow, sadness; also: I'm sorry (מִצְטַעֵר)

aramaic-borrowingemotionsyiddish-influence

צִפְלוֹן

skinny person, weakling (slang)

slangrussian-borrowingidf

צִפְלוֹן

weakling, skinny person

slangbodyRussian-origin

צֹפֶן

code (cipher, secret code)

coinedmilitarybiblical-origin

צֹפֶן

code, cipher

militarybiblicaltechnology

צְרִיף

shack, hut; also: pyramid (obsolete); military barracks (archaic)

revivedarchitectureMishnaic

ק

קאקער

coward, incompetent person, zero

slangyiddish-originloanword

קאקער

coward; incompetent person; worthless person

slangYiddish-borrowinginsult

קֻבּוּץ

kubbutz (a Hebrew vowel sign representing the /u/ sound)

grammarvowel-pointsniqqud

קִדְמָה

eastward; forward; progress, advancement

biblicalroot-analysiscognitive-linguistics

קוֹלְנוֹעַ

cinema; movie theater

Ben-Yehudatechnology20th-century-coinage

קוֹמְבִּינָה

a scheme, fix, or dodge; getting something through cunning or informal means

slangRussian-borrowingSoviet-immigration

קוּקוּרִיקוּ

cock-a-doodle-doo (rooster's crow)

onomatopoeiaYiddish-borrowinganimal-sounds

קוֹקְסִינֵל

a transgender woman; originally a term for a transsexual man who became a woman (now considered derogatory by some)

eponymFrench-borrowingLatin

קוֹרוֹנָה

corona; coronavirus

sciencemedicineLatin-borrowing

קֶטְשׁוֹפּ

ketchup

loanwordfoodchinese-origin

קָלַבּוּשׁ

jail, slammer (slang)

slangmilitaryGreek-origin

קלוזנר

Joseph Klausner — Hebrew lexical innovator and scholar whose coinages include מִזְרֵקָה, עֻבְדָּה, חֻלְצָה, מָנוֹף, עִפָּרוֹן, מִגְדַּלּוֹר, דַּיִג, הַגְדָּרָה, קַרְחוֹן, קַרְנַף, שׁוֹשֶׁלֶת, and others

lexicographerHebrew-revivalcoinage

קְלִיעָה

slinging (shooting), braiding (hair or reeds); behind the scenes (קלעים)

biblicalroot-analysissemantic-shift

קַלְמָר

pencil case, pen case

revivedstationeryGreek-origin

קִמְעוֹנָאוּת

retail (trade)

commercecoined-wordaramaic-origin

קֻנְדָּס

prank, mischief; also the prankster figure

Yiddish-borrowingslangEastern-Europe

קְסֵסָה

a mixture of cannabis and tobacco (prepared by grinding)

slangcannabismodern-hebrew

קָעוּר

concave

anatomyopticsmedical-terminology

קָפֶה

coffee

loanwordYiddishArabic

קַפְּסוּלָה

capsule (medical; also coffee pod, learning bubble)

loanwordmedicineLatin-origin

קָרוֹב לְוַדַּאי

near certainty; probably (phrase)

legal-languagemodern-Hebrewprobability

קרציה

tick (the arachnid parasite); also: a nuisance person (figurative)

zoologyagricultureTalmudic-revival

קִשְׁקוּשׁ

scribble, doodle; (historically) a rattling metallic sound; nonsense, idle chatter

onomatopoeiaTalmudicsemantic-shift

ר

ש

שבלול

snail

biblicalanimalstalmudic

שִׁבֹּלֶת

ear of grain, stream, shibboleth

biblicallinguistic-markerdialect

שִׁבֹּלֶת

ear of grain; shibboleth (linguistic/cultural password)

biblicaldialectologylinguistics

שָׁבָץ

stroke, seizure, fit

biblicalmedical19th-century

שגרירות

embassy

diplomacygovernancetalmudic-revival

שַׁדְכָן

stapler (office device); also: matchmaker

officecoinageacademy

שִׁדְרוּג

upgrade

modern-hebrewaramaic-originre-prefix

שִׁדְרוּג

upgrade, re-grading

grammarbinyanshiph-el

שואה

catastrophe; the Holocaust

biblicalHolocausthistory

שׁוֹקוֹלָד

chocolate

foodloanwordaztec-origin

שׁוֹשַׁנָּה

Lily / Rose

biblicalegyptian-originloanword

שִׁזּוּף

tanning

biblicallifestylehealth

שִׁזּוּף

tanning (by sun), suntan

biblicalsemanticsbody

שֹׁחַד

bribery

biblicallegalcorruption

שְׁחִיתוּת

corruption

calquebiblicalpublic-administration

שַׁחְמָט

chess

gameloanwordpersian-origin

שיבוט

cloning; a clone

biologygeneticsmodern-science

שְׁכוֹל

bereavement / loss of a child

ancientbiblicaltalmudic

שֶׁל

of, belonging to

grammarbiblicalmishnaic

שלולית

puddle

biblicalmishnaicsemantic-shift

שְׁלוּמִיאֵל

bungler, unlucky person, ne'er-do-well

slangyiddish-originliterary

שמאלני

leftist (pejorative or strong)

politicsideologyFrench-origin

שִׂמְחָה

joy, happiness

biblicalancientnorth-west-semitic

שִׁנָּנִית

dental hygienist

medicinedentistrycoinage

שִׁנָּנִית

dental hygienist

medicinedentaltalmudic

שסק

loquat (Eriobotrya japonica); also: medlar (Mespilus germanica)

botanyTalmudic-revivalBen-Yehuda

שעון

clock; watch

timekeepingPinesmodern-coinage

שַׁפַּעַת

influenza / flu

diseaseacademy-approvedben-yehuda

שקדיה

almond tree

botanyKipnispoetry

שְׁרַבְרַב

plumber

tradearamaicsemantic-shift

שֵׁרוּתִים

toilets, restroom, bathroom

modernacademy-approvedbiblical

שְׁרִיר

muscle

anatomybiblicalhaskalah

ת

תַּאֲגִיד

corporation, incorporated body

lawbusinessmodern-coinage

תְּאוּנָה

accident

biblicalbialikneologism

תַּבְלִין

spice, seasoning

foodrabbinic-hebrewacademy-approved

תֵּה

tea

foodloanwordben-yehuda

תָּו

musical note; also the solfège names דו-רה-מי-פה-סול-לה-סי

biblicalmusicloanword

תּוּת

mulberry; strawberry

foodloanwordpersian-origin

תּוֹתָח

cannon

militarybiblicalweapon

תְּזוּנָה

nutrition

foodhealthscience

תִּזְמֹרֶת

orchestra

musicben-yehudaacademy-approved

תַּחְבִּיב

hobby

modern-hebrewleisurecoined-word

תַּחְפֹּשֶׂת

costume

purimholidayclothing

תחש

dugong / dachshund (dog breed); an unidentified animal whose hide covered the Tabernacle

biblicalzoologytabernacle

תיכון

middle; secondary school; Mediterranean; Middle East

biblicaleducationgeography

תִּירָס

corn, maize

foodbiblicalcalque

תֻּכִּי

parrot

birdsbiblicalbiblical-shift

תָּכְנִית

plan, program, schedule

biblicalhaskalahtechnology

תַּמְנוּן

octopus

animalssea-creaturesmodern-hebrew

תַּנִּין

crocodile

biblicalmythologyanimals

תַּנִּין

crocodile / sea monster

animalsbiblicalmythology

תַּסְבִּיךְ

complex

psychologypsychoanalysiscalque

תַּעֲרִיף

tariff, rate, price list

commerceeconomyarabic-origin

תַּעֲשִׂיָּה

industry

modernhaskalahbiblical-root

תַּקְרִית

incident

modernacademy-approvedjournalism

תרבות

culture

biblicalrabbinicmedieval

תֶּרֶד

spinach

foodplantsbiblical

תַּרְנְגוֹל

rooster

animalssumerian-originakkadian-origin

תִּתְחַדֵּש

wear it in good health / may you be renewed

blessingetiquetteclothing

תתרן

anosmic (lacking the sense of smell)

talmudicmedicalrabbinic

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