'anorganic' originates from Greek-derived elements via Modern English, specifically the prefix 'an-' (from Greek 'a-' meaning 'not') combined with the word 'organic' (from Greek 'organikos'), where 'an-' meant 'not' and 'organikos' meant 'of an organ or instrument'.

'anorganic' formed in Modern English by attaching the negative prefix 'an-' to 'organic'; 'organic' itself came into English from Late Latin 'organicus', from Greek 'organikos', which in turn derived from 'organon' meaning 'instrument' or 'organ'. The form was influenced by and sometimes used interchangeably with 'inorganic'.

Initially it meant 'not organic' (i.e., not derived from living things); this basic meaning has persisted, with use especially in scientific contexts to denote 'inorganic'.