'dyslexic' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'dys-' meaning 'bad' or 'difficult' and 'lexis' meaning 'word' or 'speech'.

'dyslexia' was coined in the late 19th century from the Greek roots 'dys-' and 'lexis', and 'dyslexic' emerged as an adjective and noun form in the 20th century.

Initially, it referred to difficulty with reading and interpreting words, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.