Commodore
/ˈkɒm.ə.dɔːr/noun
A naval rank or title for an officer commanding a squadron or a small fleet.
Did you know?Commodore is ultimately related to words like commodity and accommodate through Latin commodus, meaning “suitable” or “convenient,” showing how a term for arrangement and fitness became a command title.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
commodus
“suitable, fitting, convenient”
Late Latin
Latin
commendare
“to entrust, recommend”
French/Italian
Romance
commandeur / commodore
“a commander or one in command”
17th Century
Dutch/English
commandeur / commodore
“a naval commander, especially over a squadron”
Modern English
English
commodore
“a naval officer ranking above captain and below rear admiral”
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