Thalassophile
/ˈθæl.ə.sə.faɪl/noun
A person who loves the sea or ocean.
Did you know?The root *thalassa* comes from Ancient Greek and shows up in other sea-linked words like *thalassic*, while *-phile* is the same love-root behind words like *bibliophile* and *audiophile*.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
θάλασσα (thálassa)
“sea”
Ancient Greek
Greek
φιλεῖν (phileîn)
“to love, be fond of”
Modern Scientific English
English
thalasso- + -phile
“sea + lover, used in coinages for people or organisms associated with the sea”
Modern English
English
thalassophile
“a person who loves the sea or ocean”
Explore more surprising origins