'antimony' originates from Old French, specifically the word 'antimoine', ultimately from Medieval Latin 'antimonium'; the exact original roots are uncertain but may involve Greek elements such as 'anti-' ('against' or 'not') and 'monos' ('alone').

'antimony' changed from the Medieval Latin word 'antimonium' and the Old French word 'antimoine' and eventually became the modern English word 'antimony'.

Initially it referred to the mineral or medicinal/ cosmetic preparations of that mineral; over time it came to denote the chemical element (Sb) and its compounds in modern scientific usage.