'classical-liberal-leaning' originates from modern English, formed as a compound of the adjective 'classical', the adjective 'liberal', and the present participle 'leaning'. 'classical' ultimately comes from Latin 'classicus' via Old French, where it referred to a 'class' of literature; 'liberal' originates from Latin 'liberalis' meaning 'of freedom or generously'; 'leaning' comes from Old English 'hlēanian' meaning 'to incline or bend.'

'classical' passed from Latin 'classicus' into Old French and Middle English as 'classical'; 'liberal' entered English from Latin 'liberalis' through Old French/Medieval Latin into Middle English; 'lean' (and its participle 'leaning') evolved from Old English 'hlēanian' and Middle English forms to the modern English 'lean/leaning'. Together in modern usage they were compounded to describe a political tendency as 'classical-liberal-leaning'.

As separate elements, 'classical' originally related to 'class' or 'of established form', 'liberal' originally meant 'generous' or 'of freedom', and 'leaning' meant 'inclining'; combined in modern English they now mean 'inclined toward classical liberal political principles.'