Etymologically
Log in

inclusive

Etymology and origin of the English word inclusive

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
mid-15th century
Borrowed from
Latin inclusivus
Ultimate origin
Medieval Latin (inclusivus)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ɪnˈkluː.sɪv/[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Medieval Latin inclūsīvus,[2][3][4] from Latin inclūs-, past participle stem of inclūdere, to shut in, enclose (see include).[2][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

As an adverb, including the stated limits: the mid-15th century in Etymonline;[2] Merriam-Webster dates this sense from the 15th century.[3]

Semantic evolution

The adjective, having the function of including or comprehending, is from 1594,[5] and including a great deal, comprehensive, from about 1600.[2][5] Taking in rather than excluding is from 1651,[5] and inclusive of, including, from 1709.[5] The Middle English adjective was incluse, shut in (late 14th century).[2] Not excluding any group, as on grounds of sex, race or ability, is a modern sense.[6]

Timeline

  • late 14th century – incluse (Middle English).[2]
  • mid-15th century – inclusive (adverb).[2]
  • 1594 – including (adjective).[5]
  • c. 1600 – comprehensive.[2]
  • 1709 – inclusive of.[5]

Modern meaning

Adjective

  1. Including everything or a great deal; comprehensive.
  2. Including the limits stated: Monday to Friday inclusive.
  3. Including all people and not excluding any group.
  4. inclusive of: including.

Word family

  • inclusively
  • inclusiveness
  • all-inclusive
  • inclusivity
  • noninclusive
  • self-inclusive
  • superinclusive
  • uninclusive

References

  1. ^ 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 Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  3. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  4. ^ a b Pearsall, Judy, ed. (1998), The New Oxford Dictionary of English, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d e f Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Inclusive.” Etymologically, 17 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/en/inclusive. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·