'antiwhite' is formed in modern English from the prefix 'anti-' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against, opposed to') combined with the English word 'white'.

'white' comes from Old English 'hwīt' (from Proto-Germanic *hwītaz). The prefix 'anti-' entered English via Latin/Greek in later periods; the compound 'anti-' + 'white' is a recent productive formation in modern English.

Initially it is a straightforward compound meaning 'against white(s)'; over time the term has been used in political and social contexts to label attitudes, statements, or people perceived as hostile to white people.