'geotropic' originates from Greek/Neo-Latin combining forms: Greek 'gē' (γε, gen.) meaning 'earth' represented by the combining form 'geo-' and Greek 'tropos' (τρόπος) meaning 'turn', giving '-tropic' (via Neo-Latin 'geotropicus').

'geotropic' was formed in scientific/Neo-Latin usage as 'geotropicus' and adopted into English as the adjective 'geotropic' used in biology and botany to describe growth responses to gravity.

Initially it denoted 'turning toward the earth' (literally 'earth-turning'); over time the usage has remained specialized but broadened slightly to describe any growth or movement response to gravity.