'antiphonale' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'antiphonale', where the Greek-derived elements 'anti-' and 'phōnē' meant 'answering/opposite' and 'voice' (giving the sense 'responsive song' or 'antiphon').

'antiphonale' derives from Late/Medieval Latin 'antiphonale' (a book of antiphons), ultimately from Greek 'antiphōna' (from 'anti-' + 'phōnē'). The term passed into various ecclesiastical Latin and Old French usages (e.g. 'antiphonaire') and entered English in medieval liturgical contexts as 'antiphonale' or via the related form 'antiphonary'.

Initially it referred to 'the antiphon' or the practice of responsive singing; over time it came to denote specifically 'a book containing antiphons' (an antiphonary), which is the common modern meaning.