'anti-ethnic' originates from Greek prefix 'anti-' and the Greek word 'ethnikos' (via Latin and French), where 'anti-' meant 'against' and 'ethnikos' meant 'of a race or nation'.

'anti-' comes from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'. 'ethnic' comes from Greek 'ethnikos' through Latin ('ethnicus') and Old French before entering English; the compound 'anti-ethnic' is a modern English formation combining these elements to indicate opposition to an ethnic group.

Initially the components meant 'against' + 'nation/people'; over time the compound came to be used specifically for opposition or hostility directed at a particular ethnicity or ethnic groups (i.e., ethnic-based prejudice or discrimination).