et cetera

[ et set-er-uh, se-truh ]

adverb

1. and others; and so forth; and so on (used to indicate that more of the same sort or class might have been mentioned, but for brevity have been omitted): : etc.

   He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets.

et cetera

/ ɪt ˈsɛtrə /

(no translation)

1. and the rest; and others; and so forth: used at the end of a list to indicate that other items of the same class or type should be considered or included
2. or the like; or something else similar

Usage Note

Et cetera , a Latin phrase, appears in English writing most frequently in its abbreviated form, etc . This phrase is used frequently in technical and business writing, somewhat less frequently in general informal writing, and sometimes in literary or formal writing. Expressions such as and so forth and and so on are useful substitutes. Because “and” is included in the meaning of et cetera , the expression and et cetera is redundant.

Usage

It is unnecessary to use and before etc as etc ( et cetera ) already means and other things. The repetition of etc, as in he brought paper, ink, notebooks, etc, etc, is avoided except in informal contexts

Pronunciation Note

Pronunciations with [k] substituted for the first [t]: [ek-, set, -er-, uh], or [ek-, se, -tr, uh], although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.

Word History and Origins

Origin of et cetera¹

First recorded 1100–50; late Old English, from Latin et cētera, equivalent to et “and” + cētera, accusative neuter plural of cēterus “the rest of, the remainder”

Word History and Origins

Origin of et cetera¹

from Latin, from et and + cetera the other (things)