'Argentine' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'argentum', where 'argent-' meant 'silver'.

'Argentine' changed from Old French 'argentin' and Middle English 'argentine' and eventually became the modern English word 'Argentine' (used both as adjective and noun). The country's name Argentina derives from the same root via the Spanish name related to Río de la Plata ('river of silver').

Initially, it meant 'of silver' or 'made of silver' (from Latin), but over time the term became associated with the region named for silver and now commonly means 'of or relating to Argentina' or denotes people from Argentina.