'anti-intellectualism' originates from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against'), the adjective 'intellectual' (from Latin 'intellectus', from 'intelligere' meaning 'to understand'), and the suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin/Old French meaning 'practice, doctrine').

'anti-intellectualism' was formed in English by combining 'anti-' + 'intellectual' + '-ism' (the compound usage became common in the late 19th to early 20th century) to name the attitude or doctrine opposing intellectuals or intellectual pursuits.

Initially it specifically meant 'opposition to intellectuals'; over time the sense broadened to include a generalized distrust or devaluation of intellectual ideas, expertise, and institutions.