'hypocrite' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'hypokritēs,' where 'hypo-' meant 'under' and 'krinein' meant 'to judge.'

'hypokritēs' transformed into the Latin word 'hypocrita,' and eventually became the modern English word 'hypocrite' through Old French.

Initially, it meant 'an actor on a stage,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a person who pretends to have virtues they do not possess.'