etcetera

1 of 2

noun

et·​cet·​era et-ˈse-tə-rə How to pronounce etcetera (audio)
-ˈse-trə,
 also  it-,
nonstandard
ek- How to pronounce etcetera (audio)
 nonstandard  ik-
1
: a number of unspecified additional persons or things
2
etceteras plural : unspecified additional items : odds and ends

et cetera

2 of 2

Latin phrase

et cet·​era et-ˈse-tə-rə How to pronounce et cetera (audio)
-ˈse-trə,
 also  it-,
nonstandard
ek- How to pronounce et cetera (audio)
 nonstandard  ik-
: and others especially of the same kind : and so forth
abbreviation etc.

Word History

Etymology

Latin phrase

Latin

First Known Use

Noun

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Latin Phrase

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of etcetera was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near etcetera

et cetera

etcetera

etch

Cite this Entry

“Etcetera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etcetera. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

et cetera

: and others especially of the same kind : and so forth
Etymology

Latin

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