Etymologically
Log in

return

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 15 October 2026 at 19:46. This address is a permanent link to this version.
Changes in this edit History

Pronunciation

  • IPA: UK /rɪˈtɜːn/, US /rɪˈtɝːn/[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English retornen (also returnen), borrowed from Old French retorner (“to turn back, turn round, return”) (modern retourner),[2][3][4] formed from re- (“back”) and torner (“to turn”),[2][3][5] through a Romance *retornāre,[6][7] from Latin tornāre (“to turn in a lathe”),[6][4] the source of turn.[3][6] It is partly also from Medieval Latin retornāre.[3] The noun is from retorn.[3][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

To come or go back to a former place or position: before 1325,[2] or the early 14th century.[3]

Semantic evolution

The spelling returnen appears about 1386, in Chaucer's Legend of Good Women.[2] “To bring or send back” is first recorded in Chaucer's Boethius,[2] and by the mid-15th century according to Etymonline.[3] “To report officially, give an official account” in answer to a writ is from the early 15th century.[3] “To give back in repayment or recompense” is from the 1590s, and “to give back, restore” from about 1600.[3] The noun, the act of coming back, is from the late 14th century, as is an official report of election results.[3] By return of post is from 1642,[8] and a return ticket from 1868.[8] The adjective is from 1676[9] or 1670.[5]

Timeline

  • before 1325 – to come back.[2]
  • c. 1386 – the spelling returnen (Chaucer).[2]
  • late 14th century – noun, the act of returning; an election return.[3]
  • early 15th century – to report officially.[3]
  • 1590s – to give in repayment.[3]
  • c. 1600 – to restore.[3]
  • 1642 – by return of post.[8]
  • 1868 – a return ticket.[8]

Modern meaning

Verb

  1. To go or come back, as to a former place or condition.
  2. To revert in speech, thought or practice.
  3. To send, put or carry back; to give back to the owner.
  4. To give in exchange or reply: return a favour.
  5. To yield profit or interest.
  6. To deliver a report or verdict officially.
  7. To elect to office.

Noun

  1. The act of coming or sending back.
  2. Something sent back, such as returned goods.
  3. (often returns) Profit or yield on an investment.
  4. An official report, such as a tax return or election results.
  5. (British) A return ticket.

Adjective

  1. Of or for going back: a return trip.
  2. Given or done in exchange or again: a return visit.

Word family

  • returner
  • unreturning
  • nonreturn
  • returnee
  • returning officer

Usage notes

The American Heritage Dictionary compares return, the least specific, with revert, recur, recrudesce and reciprocate.[10]

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 Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  6. ^ a b c The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (2000), 4th ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin
  7. ^ Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  8. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  9. ^ Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (2003), 11th ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  10. ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1992), 3rd ed., Boston: Houghton Mifflin