'granodiorite' originates from the combination of 'granite' and 'diorite', where 'granite' refers to a coarse-grained igneous rock and 'diorite' refers to a similar rock with more plagioclase.

'Granodiorite' was formed by combining the names of two rock types, 'granite' and 'diorite', to describe a rock that shares characteristics of both.

Initially, it meant a rock similar to granite, and this meaning has remained consistent in modern usage.