etymological fallacy

noun

The argument that a word is defined solely by its etymology and that its customary usage can therefore be incorrect.

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Meanings

nounetymological fallacy (plural etymological fallacies)

plural etymological fallacies

  1. human sciencesThe argument that a word is defined solely by its etymology and that its customary usage can therefore be incorrect.
Cite this entry
APA

etymological fallacy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/etymological%20fallacy

MLA

“etymological fallacy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/etymological%20fallacy. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “etymological fallacy,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/etymological%20fallacy.

Source: etymological fallacy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.