'anti-poverty' is a compound formed from the prefix 'anti-' and the noun 'poverty'. 'anti-' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'poverty' originates from Old French 'povreté', from Latin 'paupertās' (from 'pauper') where 'pauper' meant 'poor'.

'poverty' changed from Latin 'paupertās' into Old French 'povreté', then into Middle English 'poverte' and finally modern English 'poverty'. The prefix 'anti-' came into English via Latin and Greek influence and was combined with nouns to form compounds such as 'anti-poverty'.

Initially the elements meant 'against' (anti-) and 'poverty' (poor condition); over time the compound has come to be used specifically for policies, programs, and actions aimed at reducing or preventing poverty.