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List of English words of Old Norse origin facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Words from Old Norse, which was the language of the Vikings, became part of the English language. This happened mostly when the Vikings settled in eastern and northern England between the mid-800s and the 1000s. This area was known as the Danelaw.

Many of these words are very common in English today, like egg or knife. There are hundreds of such words! This article will show you some of the most interesting ones.

It's important to know that some Old Norse words came into English much later. For example, kenning (a type of poetic phrase) was borrowed in 1871, and geyser (a hot spring) came from Icelandic in 1781. Also, some Old Norse words went into Old French first, and then into English. An example is flâneur, which came from the Old Norse word flana, meaning "to wander without a plan."

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Words from Old Norse: A to Z

Words Starting with A

  • ado: This word, meaning "fuss" or "trouble," was influenced by the Old Norse word "at," which means "to" and was used with the English word "do."
  • aloft: Meaning "up in the air," this word comes from Old Norse á ("in, on, to") and lopt ("air, sky, upper floor"). It appeared in English around 1200 AD.
  • anger: This feeling comes from Old Norse angr, meaning "trouble" or "affliction." It arrived in English around 1250 AD.
  • are: This common form of the verb "to be" is a mix of Old English earun and Old Norse er.
  • auk: This is a type of seabird found in the Arctic.
  • awe: This feeling of wonder or fear comes from Old Norse agi, meaning "terror." It was used in English around 1205 AD.
  • awesome: This word, meaning "very impressive," comes from the same Old Norse root as "awe."
  • awful: Originally meaning "full of awe," this word also comes from the same Old Norse root as "awe."
  • awkward: The first part of this word comes from Old Norse ǫfugr, meaning "turned-backward." The "-ward" part is from Old English.
  • awn: This refers to the bristle-like part of some plants. It comes from Old Norse ögn.
  • axle: This part of a wheel might be a mix of Old English eax and Old Norse öxull, meaning "axis."

Words Starting with B

  • bag: From Old Norse baggi.
  • bait: From Old Norse beita.
  • band: Meaning "rope" or "tie," from Old Norse band.
  • bank: (like a river bank) From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse banki, meaning "sandbank."
  • bark: (of a tree) From Old Norse bǫrkr.
  • bash: Probably from Old Norse *basca, meaning "to strike."
  • bask: Meaning "to lie in warmth," from Old Norse baðask, which is related to "bathe."
  • bat: (animal) Likely related to Old Swedish natbakka and Old Norse leðrblaka ("leather flapper").
  • berserk: From Old Norse berserkr, meaning "bear-shirt." It describes a frenzied warrior.
  • billow: Meaning a large wave, from Old Norse bylgja.
  • birth: From Old Norse byrðr.
  • blather: Meaning "to talk foolishly," probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse blaðra ("mutter, wag the tongue").
  • bleak: Meaning "cold and miserable," from Old Norse bleikr ("pale").
  • blend: Possibly from Old Norse blanda ("to mix").
  • blister: From a Scandinavian source, coming through Old French.
  • bloat: From a Scandinavian word similar to Old Norse blautr ("soaked, soft").
  • bloom: (of a plant) From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse blomi ("flower, blossom").
  • blunder: Meaning "to make a foolish mistake," from Old Norse blundra ("shut one's eye").
  • boast: Probably from a Scandinavian source, coming through Anglo-French.
  • bole: Meaning "tree trunk," from Old Norse bolr.
  • both: From Old Norse baðir.
  • boon: Meaning "a helpful thing," from Old Norse bon ("a petition, prayer").
  • booth: From Old Danish boþ ("temporary dwelling").
  • boulder: From a Scandinavian word like Swedish bullersten ("noisy stone").
  • brink: Meaning "edge," possibly related to Danish brink ("steepness, shore").
  • brisket: Perhaps from Old Norse brjosk ("gristle, cartilage").
  • brunt: Meaning "the main force of an attack," likely from Old Norse bruna ("to advance like wildfire").
  • bulk: From Old Norse bulki.
  • bull: From Old Norse boli.
  • bump: Perhaps from Scandinavian, sounding like the action it describes.
  • bur: From a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse burst ("bristle").
  • bylaw: From Old Norse bylög, meaning "village-law" (by=village; lög=law).

Words Starting with C

  • cake: From Old Norse kaka.
  • call: From Old Norse kalla ("cry loudly").
  • cart: From Old Norse kartr or a similar Scandinavian word.
  • cast: Meaning "to throw," from Old Norse kasta.
  • chubby: Perhaps influenced by Old Norse kumba ("log") or kumben ("stumpy").
  • clip: Meaning "to cut," from Old Norse klippa.
  • club: From Old Norse klubba ("cudgel").
  • clumsy: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse klumsa ("make speechless").
  • cog: (of a wheel) Probably a Scandinavian word, related to Norwegian kugg.
  • cozy: Likely from Scandinavian, perhaps related to Norwegian kose seg.
  • crawl: From Old Norse krafla ("to claw").
  • craze: Possibly from Old Norse krasa ("shatter") through Old French.
  • creek: From Old Norse kriki ("corner, nook").
  • crochet: From Old Norse krokr ("hook") through French.
  • crocket: From the same Norse root as "crochet" through French.
  • crook: From Old Norse krokr ("hook-shaped instrument").
  • crotch: From Old Norse krokr ("hook") through Old North French.
  • crotchet, crotchety: From Old Norse krokr ("hook") through Old French.
  • crouch: From the same Norse root as "crochet" through French.
  • cur: Meaning a mixed-breed dog, from Old Norse kurra ("to growl").
  • cut: Possibly from North Germanic *kut-.

Words Starting with D

  • dangle: Probably from Scandinavian, related to Danish dangle ("to swing about").
  • dank: Meaning "damp," related to Swedish dank ("moist place").
  • dash, dashing: Probably from a Scandinavian word (compare Swedish daska "to beat, strike").
  • dastard, dastardly: Probably from a word meaning "dazed" in Old Norse.
  • daze, dazed: Perhaps from Old Norse *dasa.
  • die: From Old Norse deyja ("pass away").
  • dirt: From Old Norse drit ("feces").
  • down: (feathers) From Old Norse dunn.
  • doze: Probably from a Scandinavian word (compare Old Norse dusa "to doze").
  • dregs: Meaning "leftover bits," from Old Norse dregg ("sediment").
  • droop: From Old Norse drupa ("to drop, sink").
  • dump: Possibly related to Danish dumpe ("fall hard").

Words Starting with E

  • egg: From Old Norse egg.
  • eider: A type of duck.
  • equip, equipment: From Old Norse skipa ("organize, arrange") through Middle French.

Words Starting with F

  • fell: (geography, meaning a hill or mountain) From Old Norse fiall ("mountain").
  • fellow: From Old Norse félagi.
  • filly: Meaning a young female horse, possibly from Old Norse fylja, female form of foli ("foal").
  • fir: (tree) From Old Norse fyri- or Old Danish fyr.
  • firth: Meaning a narrow inlet of the sea, from Old Norse fjörðr through Scottish.
  • fjord: From Norwegian fiord, from Old Norse fjörðr ("an inlet, estuary").
  • flag: Probably from Old Norse flaka ("to flicker, flutter").
  • flaneur: From Old Norse flana ("to wander aimlessly") through French.
  • flat: From Old Norse flatr.
  • flaunt: Related to Swedish flankt ("loosely, flutteringly").
  • flaw: From Old Norse flaga ("stone slab, layer of stone").
  • fleck: Probably from Old Norse flekka ("to spot, stain").
  • fling: Probably from Old Norse flengja.
  • flit: From Old Norse flytja ("cause to fit").
  • floe: (ice floe) From Norwegian flo ("layer, slab") from Old Norse flo.
  • flounder: (fish) From Old Norse flydhra through Anglo-French.
  • fluster: Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Icelandic flaustr ("fluster").
  • fog: From Old Norse fok through Danish fog, meaning "spray" or "snowdrift."
  • fro: (as in "to and fro") From Old Norse fra ("from").
  • freckle: From Old Norse freknur ("freckles").

Words Starting with G

  • gab: Meaning "to talk a lot," from Old Norse gabbnna ("to mock").
  • gable: (of a roof) From Old Norse gafl ("gable, gable-end") through Old French.
  • gad: Meaning "to wander aimlessly," from Old Norse gaddr ("spike, nail").
  • gag: Perhaps influenced by Old Norse gag-hals ("with head thrown back").
  • gain: From Germanic and from Old Norse through Old French.
  • gait: Meaning "a way of walking," related to Old Norse gata ("way, road, path").
  • gale: (strong wind) Perhaps from Old Norse gol ("breeze").
  • gang: From Old Norse gangr ("act of going, a group of men").
  • gap: From Old Norse gap ("chasm").
  • gape: From Old Norse gapa ("to open the mouth wide").
  • gasp: From Old Norse geispa ("to yawn").
  • gaunt: Meaning "thin and bony," perhaps from a Scandinavian word.
  • gawk: From Old Norse ga ("to heed").
  • gear: From Old Norse gørvi ("apparel, gear").
  • gelding: From Old Norse geldingr ("wether; eunuch").
  • get: From Old Norse geta.
  • geyser: From Icelandic geysir, from Old Norse geysa ("to gush").
  • gift: From Old Norse gift ("dowry").
  • gill: (of a fish) Possibly related to Old Norse gjölnar.
  • girth: Meaning "circumference," from Old Norse gjörð.
  • give: From Old Norse gefa.
  • glitter: From Old Norse glitra.
  • gloat: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse glotta ("to grin scornfully").
  • gosling: Meaning a young goose, from Old Norse gæslingr.
  • grovel: From Old Norse grufe.
  • guest: From Old Norse gestr.
  • gun: From Old Norse Gunnhildr, a female name where both parts mean "war, battle."
  • gust: (of wind) From Old Norse gustr.

Words Starting with H

  • haggle: From Old Norse haggen ("to chop").
  • hail: (greeting) From Old Norse heill ("health, prosperity").
  • hank: Meaning a coil of yarn, probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse hönk.
  • hap, happy: From Old Norse happ ("chance, good luck").
  • harness: From Old Norse *hernest ("provisions for an army") through Old French.
  • harsh: Probably from a Scandinavian word meaning "rough, coarse."
  • haunt: From Old Norse heimta ("to bring back home") through Anglo-Norman.
  • haven: From Old Norse höfn ("haven, harbor").
  • hit: From Old Norse hitta ("to find").
  • how: (or howe, meaning a small hill) From Old Norse haugr. This word is mostly found in place names today.
  • husband: From Old Norse husbondi ("master of the house").
  • hug: Possibly from Old Norse hugga ("to comfort").

Words Starting with I

  • ill: From Old Norse illr ("bad").
  • irk: From Old Norse yrkja ("to work").

Words Starting with J

  • jökulhlaup: This is a modern word from Icelandic, meaning a sudden flood from a glacier. It comes from Old Norse jǫkull (glacier) and hlaup (leap).
  • jarl: From Old Norse jarl, meaning a high-ranking chief or nobleman.

Words Starting with K

  • kedge: (a small anchor) Probably from a Scandinavian word.
  • keg: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse kaggi ("keg, cask").
  • keel: (of a boat) From Old Norse kjölr.
  • kenning: A special descriptive phrase used in old Germanic poems. This is a modern word taken from Old Norse.
  • kick: Of unclear origin, perhaps from Old Norse kikna ("bend backwards").
  • kid: (young goat) From Old Norse kið.
  • kidnap: From kid and a word meaning "to seize," both of Scandinavian origin.
  • kilt: From a Scandinavian word through Middle English.
  • kindle: (to start a fire) From Old Norse kynda.
  • knife: From Old Norse knífr.

Words Starting with L

  • lad: Meaning a young man, from Old Norse ladd (though this connection is uncertain).
  • lag: Meaning "to fall behind," possibly from a Scandinavian word related to Norwegian lagga ("go slowly").
  • lass: Meaning a young woman, from a Scandinavian word related to Old Swedish løsk kona ("unmarried woman").
  • lathe: (a machine for shaping wood or metal) From Old Norse hlaða ("to load").
  • law: From Old Norse *lagu.
  • leg: From Old Norse leggr.
  • lemming: From Old Norse lomundr through Norwegian lemming.
  • lift: From Old Norse lypta ("to raise").
  • likely: From Old Norse líkligr.
  • link: From Old Norse *hlenkr.
  • litmus: From Old Norse litmose ("lichen for dyeing").
  • loan: From Old Norse lán ("to lend").
  • loft: From Old Norse lopt ("an upper room or floor, attic, air, sky").
  • loose: From Old Norse lauss ("loose/free").
  • lope: Meaning "to run with long strides," from Old Norse hlaupa ("to run, leap").
  • low: From Old Norse lagr.
  • lug: Meaning "to pull with effort," from Scandinavian, related to Swedish lugga ("to pull by the hair").

Words Starting with M

  • meek: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse mjukr ("soft, gentle").
  • midden: Meaning a refuse heap, of Scandinavian origin, related to Danish mødding.
  • mink: From a Scandinavian word related to Swedish menk ("a stinking animal").
  • mire: Meaning "a stretch of swampy ground," from Old Norse myrr ("bog").
  • mistake: From Old Norse mistaka ("miscarry").
  • muck: From Old Norse myki ("cow dung").
  • mug: From Old Norse mugge.
  • muggy: (weather) From Old Norse mugga ("drizzle, mist").

Words Starting with N

  • nab: Meaning "to seize or catch," probably from Scandinavian.
  • nag: Meaning "to annoy with complaints," probably from a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse gnaga ("to bite, gnaw").
  • narwhal: From Danish and Norwegian narhval, likely from Old Norse nahvalr ("corpse-whale").
  • nay, naysayer: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse nei ("no").
  • niggard, niggardly: Perhaps from a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse *hniggw.
  • Norman, Normandy: From Old Norse through Old French, meaning "northman," because of Viking settlement in the Normandy region.
  • nudge: Perhaps from Scandinavian, related to Norwegian nugge ("to jostle").

Words Starting with O

  • oaf: From Old Norse alfr ("elf").
  • odd: From Old Norse oddi ("third number," "the casting vote").
  • ombudsman: From Old Norse umboðsmaðr through Swedish ombudsman, meaning "representative."
  • outlaw: From Old Norse utlagi.

Words Starting with P

  • peen: (the end of a hammer head) Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Norwegian penn.
  • plough, plow: From Old Norse plogr.
  • prod: From Old Norse broddr ("shaft, spike").

Words Starting with Q

  • queasy: Possibly from a Scandinavian word, such as Old Norse kveisa ("a boil").

Words Starting with R

  • race: (to run) From Old Norse rás ("to run, rush").
  • raft: From Old Norse raptr ("log").
  • rag: Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse rögg ("shaggy tuft").
  • ragged: Related to "rag," perhaps from Old Norse raggaðr ("shaggy").
  • ragtag: From "rag" and "tag," both from Old Norse.
  • raise: From Old Norse reisa.
  • ransack: From Old Norse rannsaka ("to search the house").
  • reef: (in the sea) Likely from Old Norse rif ("ridge in the sea").
  • regret: From Old Norse gráta ("to weep") combined with a French prefix.
  • reindeer: From Old Norse hreindyri.
  • rid: Possibly from Old Norse ryðja ("to clear land").
  • rift: Related to Old Norse ripa/rifa ("to tear apart").
  • rig: (to equip) Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Danish rigge.
  • rive: Meaning "to tear apart," from Old Norse rífa.
  • root: From Old Norse rót.
  • rotten: From Old Norse rotinn ("decayed").
  • rug: From Old Norse rogg ("shaggy tuft").
  • rugged: From Old Norse rogg ("shaggy tuft").
  • rump: From a Scandinavian word related to Danish rumpe.

Words Starting with S

  • saga: From Old Norse saga ("story, tale").
  • sale: From Old Norse sala.
  • same: From Old Norse same, samr.
  • scale: (for weighing) From Old Norse skal ("bowl, drinking cup").
  • scalp: From a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse skalli ("a bald head").
  • scant: From Old Norse skamt and skammr ("short, lacking").
  • scare: From Old Norse skirra ("to frighten").
  • scarf: From Old Norse skarfr ("fastening joint").
  • scathe: Meaning "to harm," from Old Norse skaða ("to hurt, injure").
  • scoff: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse skaup ("mockery").
  • scofflaw: From "scoff" and "law," both from Old Norse.
  • scold: From Old Norse skald ("poet").
  • scorch: Perhaps from Old Norse skorpna ("to be shriveled").
  • score: From Old Norse skor ("notch"; "twenty").
  • scowl: Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Norwegian skule ("look furtively").
  • scrag: Related to Norwegian skragg ("a lean person").
  • scrap: From Old Norse skrap ("scraps, trifles").
  • scrape: From Old Norse skrapa.
  • scrawny: Probably from a Scandinavian word, such as Old Norse skrælna ("to shrivel").
  • scree: (loose stones on a slope) From Old Norse skriða ("landslide").
  • scuff: Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse skufa ("to shove").
  • seat: From Old Norse sæti ("seat, position").
  • seem: From Old Norse sœma ("to conform").
  • shrimp: Probably from Old Norse skreppa ("thin person").
  • shrivel: Perhaps from a Scandinavian word related to Swedish skryvla ("to wrinkle").
  • shrug: Perhaps connected to Danish skrugge ("to stoop").
  • silt: Probably from a Scandinavian word, related to Norwegian sylt ("salt marsh").
  • skate: (fish) From Old Norse skata.
  • skeet: (shooting sport) Ultimately from Old Norse skjota ("to shoot").
  • skerry: (a small rocky island) From Old Norse sker.
  • skewer: Possibly from Old Norse skifa ("a cut, slice").
  • ski: From Norwegian ski, related to Old Norse skið ("long snowshoe").
  • skid: Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse skið ("stick of wood").
  • skill: From Old Norse skil ("distinction").
  • skin: From Old Norse skinn ("animal hide").
  • skip: From Old Norse skopa ("to skip, run").
  • skit: Perhaps ultimately from Old Norse skjuta ("to shoot, move quickly").
  • skitter, skittish: Perhaps related to Old Norse skjota.
  • skirt: From Old Norse skyrta ("shirt").
  • skive: (to cut thinly) From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse skifa.
  • skrike: (to scream) From Old Norse skríkja.
  • skua: (a seabird) From Faroese skugvur, related to Old Norse skufr ("seagull").
  • skull: From Old Norse skulle ("head").
  • sky: From Old Norse ský ("cloud").
  • skyscraper: From "sky" and "scrape," both from Old Norse.
  • slam: From a Scandinavian word, likely sounding like the action.
  • slant: From Old Norse sletta, slenta ("to throw carelessly").
  • slaughter: From Old Norse *slahtr ("butchering").
  • slaver: (to drool) From Old Norse slafra.
  • sledge: (hammer) From Old Norse sleggja.
  • sleight: From Old Norse slœgð.
  • sleuth: (detective) From Old Norse sloð ("trail").
  • slight: Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse slettr ("smooth").
  • sling: From Old Norse slyngva.
  • slob: From a Scandinavian word through Irish.
  • slouch: Related to Old Norse slokr ("lazy fellow").
  • slump: Probably from a Scandinavian word like Norwegian slumpe ("fall upon").
  • slush: Perhaps from a Scandinavian word related to Norwegian slask ("slushy ground").
  • sly: From Old Norse sloegr ("cunning, crafty").
  • smithy: From Old Norse smiðja ("blacksmith's workshop").
  • snag: From a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse snagi ("clothes peg").
  • snare: From Old Norse snara ("noose, snare").
  • snape: (to rebuke) From Old Norse sneypa ("to outrage, dishonor").
  • snipe: (bird) From Old Norse -snipa.
  • sniper: From English "snipe," which came from Old Norse.
  • snub: From Old Norse snubba ("to curse").
  • snug, snuggle: Perhaps from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse snoggr ("short-haired").
  • spike: Perhaps from a Scandinavian word, such as Old Norse spik ("splinter").
  • sprint: From Old Norse spretta ("to jump up").
  • squabble: Probably from a Scandinavian word, sounding like the argument.
  • squall: (a sudden storm) Probably from a Scandinavian word, such as Old Norse skvala ("to cry out").
  • stack: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse stakkr ("haystack").
  • stagger: From Old Norse stakra ("to push").
  • stain: From Old Norse steina ("to paint").
  • steak: From Old Norse steik, steikja ("to fry").
  • stern: (back of a boat) Probably from a Scandinavian word, such as Old Norse stjorn ("a steering").
  • stoup: (a basin for holy water) From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse staup ("cup").
  • stumble: Probably from a Scandinavian word, related to Norwegian stumla.
  • swag: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse sveggja ("to swing, sway").
  • swain: Meaning a young man or lover, from Old Norse sveinn ("boy, servant").
  • sway: From Old Norse sveigja ("to bend, swing").

Words Starting with T

  • tag: Probably from a Scandinavian word, related to Norwegian tagg ("point, prong").
  • tangle: From a Scandinavian word, possibly related to Old Norse þongull.
  • take: From Old Norse taka.
  • tarn: (a small mountain lake) From Old Norse tjǫrn, tjarn.
  • tatter: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse töturr ("rags").
  • teem: (to be full of) From Old Norse tœma ("to empty").
  • tern: (a seabird) From a Scandinavian word.
  • tether: (a rope for tying an animal) Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse tjoðr.
  • their: From Old Norse þeirra.
  • they: From Old Norse þeir.
  • though: From Old English þēah and in part from Old Norse þó.
  • thrall: Meaning a slave or servant, from Old Norse þræll.
  • thrift: From Old Norse þrift ("prosperity").
  • thrive: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse þrifask ("to thrive").
  • thrust: From Old Norse þrysta ("to thrust, force").
  • thwart: Meaning "to prevent," from Old Norse þvert ("across").
  • tidings: Meaning "news," from Old Norse tíðindi ("news of events").
  • tight: From Old Norse þéttr ("watertight, solid").
  • till: (until) From Old Norse til ("to, until").
  • toft: (a homestead) From Old Norse topt.
  • toom: (empty) From Old Norse tóm ("vacant time, leisure").
  • toss: Of uncertain origin, possibly from a Scandinavian word.
  • trash: Perhaps from Old Norse tros ("rubbish").
  • troll: From Old Norse troll ("giant, fiend, demon").
  • trust: (verb) From Old Norse traust ("help, confidence").
  • tryst: (a secret meeting) From Old French tristre ("waiting place"), probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse treysta ("to trust").
  • tyke: Meaning a small child or dog, from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse tik ("female dog").

Words Starting with U

  • ugly: From Old Norse uggligr ("dreadful, repulsive").
  • until: From Old Norse und ("as far as") and til ("until").

Words Starting with V

  • valkyrie: From Old Norse valkyrja, meaning "chooser of the slain."
  • viking: From Old Norse vikingr, meaning "one who came from the fjords."
  • vole: (a small rodent) Probably from Old Norse völlr ("field").

Words Starting with W

  • wad: From Old Norse vaðmal.
  • wag: (to move back and forth) Probably from a Scandinavian word related to Old Norse vagga ("a cradle").
  • waif: (a homeless person or animal) Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse veif ("waving thing").
  • wail: From Old Norse væla ("to lament").
  • waive, waiver: From Anglo-French, probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse veifa ("to swing about").
  • walrus: This word came into English from Dutch, but it likely started as a Scandinavian word.
  • wand: From Old Norse vondr ("rod").
  • want: From Old Norse vanta ("to lack").
  • wapentake: (an old administrative division) From Old Norse vapnatak.
  • wassail: (a festive drink or celebration) From Old Norse vas heill ("be healthy").
  • weak: From Old Norse veikr ("weak, pliant").
  • wheeze: Probably from a Scandinavian word like Old Norse hvoesa ("to hiss").
  • whirl: From Old Norse hvirfla ("to go around").
  • whisk: From Old Norse viska ("to plait").
  • wicker: From a Scandinavian word, related to Danish viger.
  • wicket: From Old Norse vík ("bay") and a French suffix.
  • wight: (meaning "able in battle") From Old Norse vigr. (Note: The word "wight" meaning "man" comes from Old English).
  • wile: (a trick) From Old Norse vél ("trick, craft").
  • windlass: From Old Norse vindáss ("winding-pole").
  • window: From Old Norse vindauga ("wind-eye").
  • wing: From Old Norse vængr.
  • wreck: From a Scandinavian word like Old Norse *wrek ("wreck, flotsam").
  • wrong: From Old Norse rangr ("crooked, wry, wrong").

Words Starting with Y

  • yaw: (to steer off course) Perhaps ultimately from Old Norse jaga.

More to Explore

  • Lists of English words of international origin
  • List of English words of Scandinavian origin
  • List of English words of Norwegian origin
  • List of English words of Danish origin
  • List of English words of Swedish origin
  • Old Norse language
  • Old Norse orthography
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