etcetera

1 of 2

noun

et·​cet·​era et-ˈse-tə-rə How to pronounce etcetera (audio)
-ˈse-trə,
 also  it-,
 nonstandard  ek-,
nonstandard
ik- How to pronounce etcetera (audio)
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-,
nonstandard
ik- How to pronounce et cetera (audio)
: 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

etc.

etcetera

et cetera

Cite this Entry

“Etcetera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/etcetera. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

et cetera

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

Latin

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words

  • high school student holding a pencil leaning over a sat test
  • Despite the cacophony, the student tried to study.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY