'antiinflammatory' originates from a combination of Greek and Latin elements: the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti') meaning 'against', and 'inflammatory' (from Latin 'inflammare') where 'flamma' meant 'flame'.

'inflammare' (Latin) produced Middle English 'inflame' (via Old French 'enflammer'); the adjective 'inflammatory' was formed in English with the suffix '-ary'. The modern compound 'anti-inflammatory' arose by adding Greek-derived prefix 'anti-' to English 'inflammatory' and has appeared in hyphenated and closed forms ('anti-inflammatory', 'antiinflammatory').

Originally connected to the literal idea of 'against burning/flame' (from 'flamma' = 'flame'), it came to be used medically to mean 'against inflammation' and now specifically denotes agents or properties that reduce inflammation.