also (English)

Where does "also" come from?

The word "also" originates from the Old English "eallswā," a compound formed by combining "eall" (all) and "swā" (so). This Proto-West Germanic construction literally expressed the meaning "all so" or "just like," and it shares the same linguistic roots as the word "as." Over centuries, it evolved from its Germanic origins into the Middle English "also," eventually settling into its modern role as a common conjunction used to denote addition or similarity.

Full etymology tree

also (English), 'In addition; besides; as well; further; too.'
- inherited also (Middle English), 'also: to the same degree or extent; so, as'
  - inherited eallswā (Old English), 'just as, just so'
    - compound eall (Old English), 'all'
      - inherited *all (Proto-West Germanic), 'all'
        inherited *allaz (Proto-Germanic), 'all'
        inherited *h₂elnós (Pre-Germanic)
        derived *h₂el- (Proto-Indo-European), 'to grow, nourish'
    - compound swā (Old English), 'that, of that'
      - inherited *swā (Proto-West Germanic), 'so, thus, in this manner'
        inherited *swa (Proto-Germanic), 'so, thus, in this manner'
        derived *swa (Proto-Indo-European)

Direct ancestors

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris