Etymologically
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entrance

Etymology and origin of the English word entrance

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entrance1 way in

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
late 15th century
Borrowed from
Middle French entrance
Ultimate origin
Latin (intrāre)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈen.trəns/[1]

Etymology

The noun is borrowed from Middle French entrance, from entrer (“to enter”) and the suffix -ance.[2][3][4][5] See enter.[2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The right or opportunity of entering, admission: the late 15th century.[6][7] The act of entering is from 1526 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1520s in Etymonline.[8][2][3]

Semantic evolution

A door, gate or other way in is from 1535, in the Coverdale Bible.[2][3] Entering upon an office or duties is from 1559.[8] An actor's coming on stage is from 1600.[8][3] An entrance fee is from 1681.[8] Entrant is from 1635.[2]

Timeline

  • late 15th century – admission.[6]
  • 1526 – the act of entering.[8][2]
  • 1535 – a door or gate.[2]
  • 1600 – an actor's entrance.[8]

Modern meaning

Noun

  1. A door, gate or other opening by which one goes into a place.
  2. The act of coming or going in; entry.
  3. The right to enter, or to join a school, club and so on: an entrance exam.
  4. An actor's coming onto the stage.

entrance2 enchant

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1593

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /ɪnˈtrɑːns/, /enˈtrɑːns/, US /enˈtræns/, /ɪnˈtræns/[1]

Etymology

The verb is formed from en- “put in” and trance.[2][3][4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

To put into a trance, to carry away as if in a trance: 1593 in Barnhart, the 1590s in Etymonline.[2][3] MWU has 1541.[5]

Semantic evolution

To delight or enchant is from before 1599, in Spenser, according to Barnhart, and the 1590s in Etymonline.[2][3] It is now usually passive, entranced.[6]

Timeline

  • 1593 – to put into a trance.[2]
  • before 1599 – to delight.[2]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To fill someone with delight and wonder, so that they notice nothing else.
  2. To put into a trance.

References

  1. ^ a b Jones, Daniel (2011), Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary, 18th ed., ed. Peter Roach, Jane Setter and John Esling, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  7. ^ Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  8. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Entrance.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/entrance. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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