Norwegian
/nɔːrˈwiːdʒən/noun
Relating to Norway or its people, language, or culture.
Did you know?The name behind Norwegian ultimately comes from Old Norse terms for the “north way” or “north road,” a reminder that nations were once described by routes, coastlines, and directions before they were borders.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*nurþ-
“north”
Old Norse
ON
norðr
“north; northward”
Old English
OE
norþ
“north”
Old Norse
ON
Norvegr
“north way; way to the north”
Old French / Medieval Latin
OF/ML
Norvegie / Norvegia
“Norway”
Modern English
English
Norwegian
“of or relating to Norway; a native or inhabitant of Norway”