'gynosexuality' originates from Greek and modern English components: Greek 'gynē' (γυνή) meaning 'woman' (as the root 'gyno-') combined with English 'sexuality' (from Latin 'sexualis' from 'sexus' meaning 'sex').

'gynē' gave the combining form 'gyno-' in New Latin and modern scientific vocabulary; combined with 'sexual' (from Latin via modern English) produced 'gynosexual' in recent decades, and the abstract noun 'gynosexuality' formed by adding the English noun-forming suffix '-ity'.

Initially formed to denote sexual attraction toward women or femininity; this core meaning has remained stable but usage has broadened in some communities to emphasize attraction to femininity irrespective of biological sex.