'adverb-like' originates from the combination of 'adverb' and the suffix '-like', where 'adverb' refers to a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb, and '-like' means 'resembling or characteristic of'.

The term 'adverb-like' evolved from the need to describe words or phrases that function similarly to adverbs but may not be classified strictly as such.

Initially, it meant 'resembling an adverb', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.