'arabophile' originates from Modern English, formed from 'Arab' and the Greek-derived element '-phile' (via French/Latin), where 'Arab' referred to the Arab people or Arabia and 'philos' (Greek) meant 'loving'.

'arabophile' was coined as a compound in Modern English (influenced by French and classical formations using -phile) by combining words for 'Arab' (from Latin/Old French forms of the ethnonym) and the suffix '-phile' (from Greek 'philos'); this compound form entered English usage in the 19th century and became the modern English 'arabophile'.

Initially it meant 'a lover or admirer of Arabs or Arab culture,' and over time this basic meaning has remained largely unchanged, used to denote sympathy for or strong interest in Arab culture, people, or language.