bicycle (English)

Where does "bicycle" come from?

The word 'bicycle' was borrowed into English from French in the 19th century, combining the prefix 'bi-' meaning two with the Greek-rooted 'cycle' for wheel. While its primary definition refers to the two-wheeled vehicle, the term later gained slang usage to describe a promiscuous woman, playing on the double meaning of 'riding' as both a mechanical action and a sexual act.

Full etymology tree

• bicycle (English), 'A vehicle that has two primary wheels, one behind the other, a steering handle, and a saddle seat or seats and is usually propelled by the action of a rider’s feet upon pedals.'
  • borrowed bicycle (French), 'bicycle'
    • compound bi- (French), 'bi-'
      • derived bis (Latin), 'twice, two times, on two occasions, in two ways'
    • compound cycle (French), 'cycle'
      • inherited cycle (Middle French)
        • inherited κύκλος (kýklos) (Ancient Greek), 'circle, ring'

Direct ancestors

• bicycle (French)

Updated July 2026

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