Etymologically
Log in

epoxy

History Permalink

Etymology and origin of the English word epoxy

Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
1916 Chemical Abstracts
Ultimate origin
Ancient Greek ἐπί,ὀξύς

Pronunciation

  • /ɪˈpɒk.si/, /ɪˈpɑk.si/[1]

Etymology

It is formed from English epi- + oxy-,[2][3][4][5] the second element being the combining form of oxygen.[6][7] Etymonline explains that the prefix has its chemical sense of a connection within a molecule: an epoxy oxygen atom is linked to two carbon atoms of a chain, forming a bridge.[7] Epi- is from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “upon, at, in addition”),[7] and oxy- from Ancient Greek ὀξύς (oxús, “sharp, pungent”).[7] The noun for the resin or glue is a use of the adjective,[8] and the verb is formed from the noun.[9]

Earliest recorded meaning

An element in the names of chemical compounds that are epoxides: 1916, in Chemical Abstracts.[2][7][9]

Semantic evolution

From 1930 the word was used as an adjective for things derived from an epoxide or containing its ring structure, above all in epoxy resin, a synthetic resin used in adhesives and coatings.[2][9] Because these resins make strong glues,[7] the word became a noun for the resin or glue itself in the mid 20th century,[8] and then a verb, to glue with epoxy: Etymonline dates it to 1965,[7] Merriam-Webster to 1966,[9] and the OED's first record is from 1974.[2]

Timeline

  • 1916 – a combining form in the names of epoxide compounds.[2][7]
  • 1930 – adjective, derived from an epoxide, as in epoxy resin.[2]
  • mid 20th century – noun, an epoxy resin or glue.[8]
  • 1965 – verb, to glue with epoxy.[7] Merriam-Webster dates the verb to 1966, the OED to 1974.[9][2]

Meanings

Noun

  1. An epoxy resin, or a strong glue or cement made from one: He fixed the broken handle with epoxy.[3][8]

Adjective

  1. (chemistry) Containing an oxygen atom joined to two other atoms, especially two carbon atoms, that are already bonded to each other, as in a three-membered ring.[9][3]
  2. Relating to or made from an epoxide or an epoxy resin.[9][2]

Verb

  1. To glue with epoxy.[9][2][8]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Oxford English Dictionary Online (accessed March 2026), Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  4. ^ Stevenson, Angus, ed. (2010), Oxford Dictionary of English, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ Dictionary.com Unabridged (2016), based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, New York: Random House
  6. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (online 2024), 5th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  8. ^ a b c d e Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
Cite this entry

“Epoxy.” Etymologically, 2 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/en/epoxy. Accessed 2 Nov. 2026.

Last edited on . ·