'immune' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'immunis', where 'immunis' meant 'exempt'; 'related' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'relatus' (past participle of 'referre'), where 'referre' meant 'to carry back/bring back'. The compound 'immune-related' is a modern English compound formed from 'immune' + 'related'.

'immune' entered English via Medieval Latin 'immunis' and Old French forms, becoming 'immune' in Modern English; 'related' developed from Latin 'relatus' through Old French/Middle English forms (e.g. 'relater') and became 'related' in Modern English. The combined form 'immune-related' arose in modern scientific and medical English to describe things connected to the immune system.

Initially, 'immune' meant 'exempt' (for example, exempt from public service) and 'related' originally carried senses of 'brought back' or 'connected by relation'; over time 'immune' came to be used primarily for biological/medical immunity and 'related' for 'connected', so the compound now specifically means 'connected to the immune system'.