voyage (English)
Where does "voyage" come from?
The English noun 'voyage' comes from Middle English 'viage', which was borrowed from Anglo-Norman 'viage' and Old French 'voiage'[1][5]. These forms trace back to Latin 'viaticum'[1][5], which is a substantivization of the neuter form of the Latin adjective 'viāticus' meaning pertaining to a journey or travelling[3]. The modern spelling of the word was later influenced by Modern French 'voyage'[1]. It shares a doublet relationship with 'viaticum'[1].
Full etymology tree
- voyage (English), 'A long journey, especially by ship.'
- borrowed viage (Middle English), 'voyage; journey'
- borrowed viage (Anglo-Norman)
- inherited viaticum (Latin), 'travelling-money; provision for a journey'
- derived viaticus (Latin), 'Pertaining to traveling or a journey.'
- inherited viaticum (Latin), 'travelling-money; provision for a journey'
- borrowed voiage (Old French), 'journey; voyage'
- influenced by voyage (French), 'trip, travel'
- inherited viaticum (Latin), 'travelling-money; provision for a journey'
- derived viaticus (Latin), 'Pertaining to traveling or a journey.'
- borrowed viage (Anglo-Norman)
- borrowed viage (Middle English), 'voyage; journey'
Ancestors
- viage (Middle English)
- voiage (Old French)
- viaticum (Latin)
- voyage (French)
Cognates and doublets
- viaticum (English)
Descendants and derived words
- maiden voyage (English)
- nom de voyage (English)
- not wanted on voyage (English)
- voyage data recorder (English)
- voyage planning (English)
Sources
- voyage (English) - Wiktionary
- voyage (French) - Wiktionary
- viaticum (Latin) - Wiktionary
- voiage (Old French) - Wiktionary
- viage (Middle English) - Wiktionary
Updated September 2026
Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris