'commercialistic' originates from English, specifically from the adjective 'commercial' combined with the suffix '-istic', where 'commercial' meant 'relating to commerce' and the suffix '-istic' forms adjectives meaning 'pertaining to or having the nature of'.

'commercial' itself comes from Old French 'commercial' / Medieval Latin 'commercialis', ultimately from Latin 'commercium' meaning 'trade, commerce'; the adjective 'commercialistic' is a modern English formation applying the productive suffix '-istic' to 'commercial'.

Initially the root meant 'relating to trade or commerce', but with the formation 'commercialistic' the sense often emphasizes an attitude or approach that prioritizes profit or commercial appeal—often with a negative connotation.