'ape-like' originates from the word 'ape' (Old English 'apa') and the suffix '-like' (Old English 'lic'), which creates an adjective meaning 'in the manner of' or 'resembling.'

'ape' comes from Old English 'apa' (likely from Proto-Germanic *apan), while '-like' comes from Old English 'lic' meaning 'body' or 'form'; the combination produced Middle English forms such as 'ape-like' or 'apelike,' leading to the modern 'ape-like.'

Initially, it meant simply 'like an ape' in a literal physical sense; over time the term also acquired figurative senses such as 'clumsy' or 'primitive.'