'arabophobe' originates from Modern English, formed from 'Arab' (referring to Arab people) + the Greek-derived suffix '-phobe' from 'phobos' meaning 'fear'.

'Arab' (from Arabic peoples' name) was combined with the Greek element 'phobos' (via English formations like 'xenophobe' and 'phobia') to create 'arabophobia' and then the agent noun 'arabophobe' in modern English usage (19th–20th century formation patterns).

Initially, the element '-phobe' conveyed 'fear of' (from Greek 'phobos'), but in modern compounds like 'arabophobe' the meaning commonly encompasses 'hatred, hostility, or prejudice' as well as fear.