'hire' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'hyr'/'hīre', where the root meant 'wages' or 'reward'.

'hire' changed from Old English 'hyr'/'hīre' (meaning 'wages, reward') into Middle English forms such as 'hir(e)' and eventually became the modern English word 'hire'.

Initially, it meant 'wages or payment for work,' but over time it developed the senses 'to employ' and 'to rent', leading to the modern verbs and noun uses.