'Anglophone' originates from French, specifically the word 'anglophone', where the prefix 'Anglo-' referred to 'English' (from Latin/Old English roots) and the suffix '-phone' comes from Greek 'phōnē' meaning 'voice' or 'sound'.

'Anglophone' was formed in French as 'anglophone' in the 19th century (French formation from 'Anglo-' + Greek-derived '-phone') and was adopted into English with the same form and meaning.

Initially, it meant 'speaking English' or 'English-speaking'; over time it has come to refer specifically to people or regions that use English as a primary language (both native and dominant users).