List of English words of Sanskrit origin

A

Ambarella 

through Sinhalese: ඇඹරැල්ලා æmbarællā ultimately from Sanskrit: अम्बरेल्ला, a kind of tree.

Aniline 

through German: Anilin, French: Aniline and Portuguese: Anil from Arabic النيل al-nili and Persian نیلا nila, ultimately from Sanskrit नीली nili.

Aryan 

from Latin Ariana, from Greek Ἀρεία Areia, ultimately from Sanskrit आर्य Arya-s "noble, honorable".

Atoll 

through Maldivean:އަތޮޅު probably ultimately from Sanskrit अन्तला antala.

Aubergine 

from French aubergine, in Catalan albergínia, via Arabic (باذِنْجان al-badinjan) and Persian (بادنجان badin-gan) ultimately from Sanskrit वातिगगम vātigagama, meaning Eggplant or Aubergine.

Avatar 

from Sanskrit अवतार avatāra, which means "descent", an avatar refers to the human incarnation of God during times of distress on earth. Thus, Krishna and Rāma were both avatars of Vishnu, who also manifested himself as an avatar many other times, ten of which are considered the most significant.

B

Bandana 

from Sanskrit बन्धन bandhana, "a bond".

Banyan 

from Hindi baniyaa ultimately from Sanskrit वणिज्‌ vaṇij, which means "a merchant".

Basmati 

through Hindi बासमती ultimately from Sanskrit वास vāsa.

Bahuvrihi 

from Sanskrit बहुव्रीहि bahuvrīhih, a composite word, meaning 'much rice.'

Beryl 

from Old French beryl, via Latin beryllus, Greek βήρυλλος and Prakrit वेलुरिय (veluriya) ultimately from Sanskrit वैडूर्य vaidūrya, of Dravidian origin, maybe from the name of Belur.

Bidi 

through Hindi बीड़ी ultimately from Sanskrit वितिक vitika.

Brinjal 

from Persian بادنجان badingān, probably from Sanskrit भण्टाकी bhaṇṭākī.

Buddha 

from Sanskrit बुद्ध buddha, which means "awakened, enlightened", refers to Siddhartha Gautama, founder of Buddhism Also refers to one who is enlightened in accordance with the teachings of Buddha or a likeness of Buddha

C

Candy 

Middle English candi, crystallized cane sugar, short for sugre-candi, partial translation of Old French sucre candi, ultimately from Arabic sukkar qandī : sukkar, sugar + qandī, consisting of sugar lumps (from qand, lump of crystallized sugar, from an Indic source akin to Pali kaṇḍa-, from Sanskrit khaṇḍakaḥ, from khaṇḍaḥ, piece, fragment, perhaps of Munda origin).

Cheetah 

which is from Sanskrit चित्रस chitra-s "uniquely marked".

Chuddar 

through Urdu چادر ultimately from Sanskrit छत्रम् chatram.

Chukar 

via Hindi चकोर cakor and Urdu چکور chukar ultimately from Sanskrit चकोर cakorah.

Chukker 

from Hindi चक्कर and Urdu چکرchakkar, from Sanskrit चक्र cakra, "a circle, a wheel".

Citipati 

from Sanskrit चिति पति citi-pati, which means "a funeral pyre lord".

Cot 

from Hindi खाट khaat "a couch", which is from Sanskrit खट्वा khatva.

Cowrie 

from Hindi कौड़ी kauri and Urdu کمتدب kauri, from Marathi कवडइ kavadi, which is ultimately from Sanskrit कपर्द kaparda.

Crimson 

from Old Spanish cremesin, via Medieval Latin cremesinus from Persian قرمز qirmiz "a kermes", which is ultimately from Sanskrit कृमिज krmi-ja literally: "red dye produced by a worm."

Crocus 

from Greek κρόκος crocus, via Semitic languages (e.g. Hebrew כרכום karkōm, Aramaic ܟܟܘܪܟܟܡܡܐ kurkama, Persian كركم kurkum, which mean saffron or saffron yellow.); ultimately from Sanskrit कुङ्कुमं kunkumam.

D

Dhal 

through Hindi दाल dāl ultimately from Sanskrit दलह dalah, meaning cotyledon of a pea pod, a type of Indian food; also refers to lentils.

Das 

from Sanskrit दासा daasa, a slave or servant.

Datura 

through Latin and Hindi: धतूरा dhatūra "jimson weed" ultimately from Sanskrit धत्तुरह dhattūrāh, a kind of flowering plant.

Deodar 

through Hindi देओदार deodār ultimately from Sanskrit देवदारु devadāru, a kind of tree.

Deva 

from Sanskrit देव deva, which means "a god", akin to Latin deus, "god".

Devi 

from Sanskrit देवी devi, which means "a goddess".

Dharma 

from Sanskrit: धर्म dharma; akin to Latin: firmus, meaning "conformity to one's duty and nature" and "divine law".

Dhoti 

via Hindi dhotī (Hindi: धोती) ultimately from Sanskrit dhautī (Sanskrit: धौती) which means 'to wash', a traditional male garment used in India. Material tied around the waist that covers most of the legs.

Dinghy 

from Hindi दिन्गी dingi "a tiny boat", probably from Sanskrit द्रोणम drona-m.

G

Ganja 

via Hindi गज "elephant bull" ultimately from Sanskrit गांजा gāñjā, which means "of hemp".

Gharry 

via Hindi word gādī (Hindi: गाड़ी) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit word garta (Sanskrit: गर्त) which means 'chariot'.

Guar 

through Hindi गार ultimately from Sanskrit गॊपलि gopālī, an annual legume.

Gunny 

via Hindi गोनी ultimately from Sanskrit गोणी goni "sack".

Gurkha 

via Nepalese गोर्खा ultimately from Sanskrit गोरक्ष goraksa, "a cowherd".

Guru 

via Hindi गुरु ultimately from Sanskrit गुरु guru-s, which means "a teacher".

J

Jackal 

from Turkish çakal, from Persian شغال shaghal, from Middle Indic shagal, ultimately from Sanskrit शृगालः srgalah "the howler".

Jaggery 

via Portuguese jágara, jagre and Malayalam ഛക്കര chakkara perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा śarkarā derived from proto-Dravidian.

Juggernaut 

through Odia ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ Jagannatha ultimately from Sanskrit जगन्नाथ jagat-natha-s, which means "lord of the world".

Jungle 

through Hindi जंगल jangal "a desert, forest" ultimately from Sanskrit जङ्गल jangala, which means "arid".

Jute 

via Bengali পাট Pata ultimately from Sanskrit जुतास juta-s, which means "twisted hair".

K

Karma 

from Sanskrit कर्म karman, which means "action".

Kedgeree 

probably ultimately from Sanskrit कृशर krśara.

Kermes 

via French: Kermès, and Persian قرمز qermez; perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit: कृमिज kṛmija meaning "worm-made."

Krait 

through Hindi करैत karait probably ultimately from Sanskrit: काराइट, a kind of snake.

L

Lac 

through Urdu لاکھ, Persian لاک and Hindi लाख lakh from Prakrit लक्ख lakkha, ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā, meaning lac.

Lacquer 

through French: Laque and Portuguese: Laca from Arabic لك lakk, via Prakrit ultimately from Sanskrit लाक्षा lākṣā.

Langur 

through Hindi लुट lut probably ultimately from Sanskrit लंगुलम langūlam.

Lilac 

via Arabic للك lilak from Persian نیلک nilak meaning "bluish", ultimately from Sanskrit नील nila, which means "dark blue".

Loot 

ultimately from Sanskrit लुण्टा lota-m or लून्त्ति luṇṭhati meaning "he steals" through Hindi लूट lūṭ, which means "a booty, stolen thing".

M

Maharajah 

through Hindi महाराजा ultimately from Sanskrit महा राजन् maha-rājān, which means "a great king".

Maharani 

through Hindi महारानी finally from Sanskrit महा रानी mahārājnī, which means "consort of a maharajah".

Maharishi 

from Sanskrit महर्षि maha-rishi, which means "a great sage".

Mahatma 

from Sanskrit महात्मा mahatman, which means "a great breath, soul".

Mahayana 

from Sanskrit महायान maha-yana, which means "a great vehicle".

Mahout 

via Hindi माहुत (variant of महावत) ultimately from Sanskrit महमत्रह् mahāmātrah.;

Mandala 

from Sanskrit मण्डल mandala, which means "a disc, circle".

Mandarin 

via Portuguese mandarim, Dutch mandarijn, Indonesian and Malay mantri or menteri, and Hindi मंत्री mantri "a councillor" ultimately from Sanskrit मन्त्रिन् mantri, which means "an advisor".

Mantra 

from Sanskrit मन्त्र mantra-s which means "a holy message or text".

Maya 

from Sanskrit माया māyā, a religious term related with illusion.

Mithras 

from Sanskrit मित्र Mitrah, which means "a friend".

Moksha 

from Sanskrit मोक्ष moksha, liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.

Mugger 

via Hindi मगर and Urdu مگر magar ultimately from Sanskrit मकर makara ("sea creature"), like a crocodile, which attacks stealthily.

Mung bean 

through Hindi मुग mū̃g and Pali/Prakrit मुग्ग mugga ultimately from Sanskrit मुग्दह् mudgah, a kind of bean.

Musk 

via Middle English muske, Middle French Musc, Late Latin Muscus and Late Greek μόσχος moskhos from Persian موشک mushk, ultimately from Sanskrit मुस्कस् muska-s meaning "a testicle", from a diminutive of मुस mus ("mouse").

Mynah 

through Hindi मैना maina ultimately from Sanskrit मदन madana-s, which means "love".;

N

Nainsook 

through Hindi नैनसुख nainsukh and Urdu نینسوکھ ultimately from Sanskrit नयनम्सुख् nayanam-sukh, meaning "pleasing to the eyes".

Nard 

through Old French narde and Latin nardus from Greek νάρδος nardos, perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit नलदम् naladam.

Narghile 

through French Narguilé and Persian نارگيله nārghīleh ultimately from Sanskrit नारिकेलः nārikelah.

Nark 

probably from Romany nak "a nose", via Hindi नक् nak ultimately from Sanskrit नक्र‌ nakra.

Neem 

through Hindi निम् nīm ultimately from Sanskrit निम्बः nimbah, a kind of tree.

Nilgai 

through Hindi नीलगाय nīlgāy lit., blue cow ultimately from Sanskrit नीलगौः nīla-gauh, an ox-like animal.

Nirvana 

from Sanskrit निर्वाण nirvana-s which means "extinction, blowing out".

O

Opal 

through French opalle from Latin opalus from Greek ὀπάλλιος opallios, probably ultimately from Sanskrit औपल upalah.

Orange 

through Old French orenge, Medieval Latin orenge and Italian arancia from Arabic نارنج naranj, via Persian نارنگ narang and Sanskrit नारङ्ग naranga-s meaning "an orange tree", derived from proto-Dravidian.

P

Palanquin

via Hindi word pālakī (Hindi: पालकी) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit word palyanka (Sanskrit: पल्यङ्क) which means 'bed' or 'couch'.

Panther

via classical Latin panthēr, itself from the ancient Greek word pánthēr (πάνθηρ) which is ultimately derived from Sanskrit पाण्डर pāṇḍara which means ("pale").

Punch

via Sanskrit पञ्च pancha, meaning "five". The original drink was made from five ingredients: alcohol, sugar, lemon, water, and tea or spices.

Pundit 

via Sanskrit पण्डित paṇdita, meaning "learned". A person who offers to mass media their opinion or commentary on a particular subject area.:

R

Raita 

ultimately from Sanskrit रजिकतिक्तक rājikātiktakaḥ via Hindi रायता rāytā, a south Asian condiment and side dish made of yogurt and vegetables.

Raj 

through Hindi राज and Pali/Prakrit रज्ज rajja ultimately from Sanskrit राज्य rājya, which means "a king" or "kingdom." Raj means kingdom or domain of a ruler.

Rajah 

through Hindi राज from Sanskrit राजन् rājān, which means "a king".

Ramtil 

through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit रामतिलः rāmatilah, which means "a dark sesame".

Rani 

through Hindi रानी ultimately from Sanskrit राज्ञी rājnī, consort of a rajah.

Rice 

via Old French ris and Italian riso from Latin oriza, which is from Greek ὄρυζα oryza, through an Indo-Iranian tongue finally from Sanskrit व्रीहिस् vrihi-s "rice", derived from proto-Dravidian.

Rupee 

through Hindi रुपया rupiyā ultimately from Sanskrit रूप्यकम् rūpyakam, an Indian silver coin.

S

Saccharo- 

via Latin Saccharon and Greek σάκχαρον from Pali सक्खर sakkharā, ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा sarkarā.

Sambal 

through Afrikaans, Indonesian and Tamil சம்பல் campāl ultimately from Sanskrit सम्बार sambhārei.

Sambar 

through Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit संभारह् śambarah, a kind of Asian deer.

Sandal 

via Middle English sandell, Old French sandale, Medieval Latin sandalum, Medieval Greek σανδάλιον sandalion (diminutive of σάνδαλον sandalon) and Arabic and Persian صندل; perhaps ultimately from Sanskrit चन्दनम् candanam meaning "wood for burning incense;" this is the word sandalwood, not related to sandals which is a type of footwear.

Sapphire 

via Old French saphir, Latin sapphirus and Greek σάπφειρος sappheiros from a Semitic tongue (c.f. Hebrew: ספיר sapir); possible ultimate origin in Sanskrit शनिप्रिय sanipriya which literally means "sacred to Saturn (Shani)".

Sari 

through Hindi साड़ी sari and Prakrit सदि sadi, finally from Sanskrit षाटी sati "garment".

Shaman 

through Russian шама́н from Tungus shaman, perhaps from Chinese 萨满 sha men, via Prakrit समन finally from Sanskrit श्रमण sramana-s "a Buddhist monk".

Shampoo 

via Anglo-Indian shampoo and Hindi चाँपो champo probably from Sanskrit चपयति capayati, which means "kneads".

Shawl 

from Persian شال shal, finally from Sanskrit सत्ल् satI, which means "a strip of cloth".

Singapore 

via Malay Singapura ultimately from Sanskrit सिंहपुरं Simhapuram, literally "the lion city".

Sri Lanka

from Sanskrit: श्री लंका which means "venerable island." It is said that Shree or Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, resides there.

Sulfur

from Sanskrit शुल्बारी shulbari which means "copper's enemy" since sulfur readily reacts with copper after which the copper loses its metallic properties.

Sugar 

through Old French sucre, Italian zucchero, Medieval Latin succarum, Arabic: سكر sukkar and Persian: شکر shakar ultimately from Sanskrit शर्करा sharkara which means "ground or candied sugar" (originally "grit" or "gravel").

Sunn 

via Hindi: सुन्न ultimately from Sanskrit: सन sāna, a kind of Asian plant.

Swami 

through Hindi स्वामी swami ultimately from Sanskrit स्वामी svami, which means "a master".

Swastika 

from Sanskrit स्वस्तिक svastika, which means "one associated with well-being, a lucky charm" or Good, god fearing being. It is said to be the form of the Sun.

T

Taka 

via Maithili and Bengali: টাকা from Sanskrit तन्कह् tankah.

Talipot 

through Hindi, Indonesian and Malay talipat from Sanskrit तालपत्रम् tālapatram, a kind of tree.

Tendu 

via French "stretched" and Hindi ultimately from Sanskrit तालपत्रम् tainduka.

Teapoy

via Hindi तिपाई tipāi and Urdu تپائي tipāʼī,which originated as a Sanskrit compound: त्रि (trí, "three") and पाद (pā́da, "foot").

Thug 

through Marathi ठग and Hindi ठग thag probably ultimately from Sanskrit स्थग sthaga, which means "a scoundrel".

Til 

from Sanskrit तिल tilah, a kind of plant.

Toddy 

through Hindi तरी tari ultimately from Sanskrit तल tala-s, a Dravidian origin is also probable.

Toon 

through Hindi तुन tūn ultimately from Sanskrit तुन्नह् tunnah, a kind of tree.

Tope 

through Hindi टॉप ṭop probably from Prakrit थुपो thūpo, finally from Sanskrit स्तूप stūpah.

Tutty 

through Middle English tutie, Old French, Medieval Latin tūtia, Arabic توتي tūtiyā, and Persian توتیا ultimately from Sanskrit तुत्थं tuttham meaning "blue vitriol", a Dravidian origin is also probable.

V

Vina 

ultimately from Sanskrit वीणा vīṇā through Hindi वीणा vīṇā, a kind of musical instrument.

W

Wanderoo 

through Sinhalese: වන්ඩෙරූ vanḍerū finally from Sanskrit वानर vānarah, a kind of monkey.

Y

Yoga 

through Hindi योग ultimately from Sanskrit योग yoga-s, which means "yoke, union".

Yogi 

through Hindi योगी yogi from Sanskrit योगिन् yogin, one who practices yoga or ascetic.

Z

Zen 

through Japanese 禅 and Chinese 禪 Chán ultimately from Pali झन jhāna and Sanskrit ध्यान dhyana, which means "a meditation".