'anti-clericalism' originates from two main elements: the prefix 'anti-' and the noun 'clericalism'. 'anti-' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anti', where 'anti-' meant 'against'. 'clericalism' derives from Latin 'clericus' (from Greek 'klerikos'), to which the suffix '-ism' (from Greek/Latin '-ismos') was added to form a noun denoting a system or practice.

'anti-clericalism' developed as a compound in modern European languages; related forms such as French 'anticléricalisme' appeared in the 19th century and influenced English usage. The element 'cleric' changed from Old English/Latin 'clericus' (borrowed from Greek 'klerikos') into adjectives like 'clerical' and then into the abstract noun 'clericalism', with 'anti-' prefixed to indicate opposition, yielding the modern English 'anti-clericalism'.

Initially it referred specifically to opposition to clerical privileges or direct clerical influence in state affairs; over time its usage broadened to include more general secularist or anti-church attitudes and policies.