Have you ever wondered what “etc” means? It is short for et cetera, a Latin phrase that lots of people still use today. It might sound complicated, but “etc” just means a group of similar people or things. Read more to find out the etc meaning and its correct usage.
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What Does Etc Mean?
As mentioned earlier, etc is short for the Latin phrase et cetera. You might also find this written as one word: etcetera.
No matter how it’s spelled, et cetera means “and others.” The Latin word “et” means “and,” whereas “cetera” comes from the Latin word “ceterus,” which means “the rest.” In modern English, you can also use the phrase to mean “and so on,” “like so,” or “and more.”
You can think of et cetera as a shortcut when you’re talking about lots of similar things, but specific details aren’t so important. So, if you’re worried about sounding repetitive, etc can help you avoid that.
Etc. can help you describe grocery lists, routines, and categories. Here are some examples of using etc in a sentence.
- Andi went shopping for bananas, apples, grapes, strawberries, melons, etc.
- We saw seagulls, dolphins, crabs, sharks, etc., at the beach.
- I put the shirts, blouses, sweatshirts, pants, dresses, etc., into the closet.
- His morning routine includes making coffee, getting dressed, checking his email, feeding the dog, buying breakfast, etc.
When and How to Use Etc?
You should say etc. when you’re talking about a cohesive group or list. You can also use etc when you’ve gotten the meaning across and don’t want to bore people with extra details.
Even though etc. goes at the end of a list, you don’t need to say “and etc.” This wording isn’t wrong, but it isn’t necessary either.
However, you should add a comma after etc, especially when the sentence continues. Why? Having a comma signals that you’re finished with the list and are moving on with your thoughts. Here are some examples of using etc. in the middle of a sentence.
- All the receipts, lip balm, candy wrappers, pens, etc., make it hard to find things in her purse.
- They brought tacos, nachos, enchiladas, chips, homemade salsa, etc., to the party.
Etc is an easy way to talk about things. That’s because this phrase word lumps things together when they’re not interesting on their own. But watch out when you’re talking about people! Using etc. can make you sound a little dismissive in this case.
Just like there are different ways to write “et cetera,” you’ll see that people write “etc” in different ways. The best way is to use the shortened version of the original phrase: “etc.” You can add a period when etc. is in the middle of a sentence.
Finally, etc. doesn’t need to be capitalized or written in all caps. Actually, etc is normally written in all lowercase because it’s in the middle of a sentence. Etc. doesn’t make much sense at the start of a sentence because it should be at the end of a list.
Other Meanings of Etc
The etc meaning everybody knows is not the only one. This abbreviation is used in other contexts, too. Here are other various meanings of etc.
- Electron Transport Chain. Plant cells use the ETC to make energy during photosynthesis.
- Exchange-Traded Commodities. ETCs let people invest in a big commodity (like real estate) instead of buying the entire thing (like a building).
- Electronic Toll Collection. Toll roads with ETC scan license plates instead of making drivers stop to pay cash.
Final Thoughts
Etc. is a way to talk about lists and groups. Again, this abbreviation stands for the Latin phrase et cetera, which means “and others.” Remember to use etc. when you’re describing similar things that don’t all need to be listed out. And the best part? Etc is applicable in formal and informal writing.
