'hypoactive' originates from Greek, specifically the prefix 'hypo-' meaning 'under' or 'below', combined with the word 'active' which comes from Latin 'activus' (from 'act-'/ 'actus') meaning 'doing' or 'driven'.

'hypoactive' was formed in modern English by combining the Greek-derived prefix 'hypo-' with the English adjective 'active' (itself from Latin 'activus'). The compound pattern follows medical/technical coinages where Greek prefixes attach to Latinate or English bases.

Initially and historically it has been used in technical and medical contexts to denote 'less than normal activity' of a function or organ; this basic meaning has been preserved into current usage.