'admonitory' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'admonitōrius,' where 'ad-' meant 'to' and 'monēre' meant 'warn.'

'admonitōrius' transformed into the French word 'admonitoire,' and eventually became the modern English word 'admonitory' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to warn or advise,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.