'anglophile' originates from the combining elements 'Anglo-' (from Late Latin 'Angli', referring to the Angles/England) and Greek 'philos' meaning 'loving'.

'anglophile' was formed in English in the 19th century by combining the prefix 'Anglo-' with the Greek-derived suffix '-phile' (via New Latin/French formation patterns), eventually becoming the modern English word 'anglophile'.

Initially, it meant 'a lover of England or English things', and over time this core meaning has remained largely the same.