Irate
/aɪˈreɪt/noun
Feeling or showing intense anger.
Did you know?The Latin noun *ira* was used in Christian writings for wrath, one of the deadly passions later associated with the deadly sins.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European (probable)
PIE
*eis-
“A probable ancient root associated with passion, vigor, or anger; the connection is not completely certain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
īra
“Anger, rage, or wrath.”
Classical Latin
Latin
īrātus
“Angry or enraged; literally, one affected by anger.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
iratus
“Angry or wrathful, especially in religious and legal writing.”
19th Century
English
irate
“Angry; a learned English formation based on Latin *īrātus*.”
Modern English
English
irate
“Extremely angry or furious.”
Explore more surprising origins