'hyposmic' originates from Greek, specifically from the prefix 'hypo-' and the root 'osmē', where 'hypo-' meant 'under' and 'osmē' meant 'smell', with the adjectival suffix '-ic' from Greek '-ikos' (via New Latin/medical usage).

'hyposmic' developed as an adjective from New Latin medical formations such as 'hyposmia' (from Greek elements), with '-ic' attached to form an adjective meaning 'relating to hyposmia'; it entered modern English usage in medical contexts.

Initially formed to denote the condition 'reduced smell' in clinical/medical descriptions, its meaning has remained essentially the same and is used to describe people or conditions with decreased olfactory function.