'anthropomorphise' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'ánthrōpos' meaning 'human' and 'morphḗ' meaning 'form', combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' (from Greek '-izein') used in English to form verbs.

'anthropomorphise' changed from Medieval Latin/Greek compounds (e.g. Latinized forms from Greek 'anthrōpomorphos') and through late Middle English/French verb formations, eventually becoming the modern English verb 'anthropomorphise' (and the US spelling 'anthropomorphize').

Initially, it meant 'to give a human form', but over time it evolved to the broader modern meaning 'to ascribe human traits, emotions, or intentions to non-human entities'.