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): He had dogs, cats, guinea pigs, frogs, et cetera, as pets. Abbreviation: etc.
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. EXPANDBecause “and” is included in the meaning of et cetera, the expression and et cetera is redundant
Pronunciation note Pronunciations with /k/Show Spelled[k]Show IPA substituted for the first /t/[t]: /ɛkˈsɛtərə/[ek-set-er-uh], or /ɛkˈsɛtrə/[ek-se-truh], although occasionally used by educated speakers, are usually considered nonstandard.
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 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
etceteraoretcetera
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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
also etcetera, early 15c., from L. et cetera, lit. "and the others," from et "and" + neut. of ceteri "the others." The common abbreviation was &c. before 20c., but etc. now prevails.