fromm (German)
Where does "fromm" come from?
The German word 'fromm' finds its roots in the Proto-Indo-European root 'per-', meaning 'before' or 'in front.' Over time, it evolved into the Old High German 'fruma,' meaning 'benefit,' before shifting in Middle High German to signify someone who was 'efficient' or 'righteous.' Today, it has settled into its modern usage as an adjective describing someone who is pious, religious, or devout.
Full etymology tree
- fromm (German), 'pious, religious, devout'
- inherited vrume (Middle High German)
- inherited fruma (Old High German), 'benefit'
- inherited *frumô (Proto-Germanic), 'first'
- compound *fr- (Proto-Germanic)
- inherited *pr- (Proto-Indo-European)
- compound *-umô (Proto-Germanic), 'Forms comparative or superlative adjectives.'
- inherited *-m̥Hon- (Pre-Germanic)
- inherited *-mHo- (Proto-Indo-European)
- inherited *-m̥Hon- (Pre-Germanic)
- compound *fr- (Proto-Germanic)
- inherited *frumô (Proto-Germanic), 'first'
- inherited fruma (Old High German), 'benefit'
- inherited vrume (Middle High German)
Ancestors
- fruma (Old High German)
Cognates and doublets
- vroom (Dutch)
- פֿרום (Yiddish)
Descendants and derived words
- frömmeln (German)
- Frömmigkeit (German)
Updated June 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris