'lemony' is formed in English by adding the adjectival suffix '-y' to the noun 'lemon'. The noun 'lemon' originates from Arabic, specifically the word 'laymūn' (often via Persian 'limun'), which entered Old French as 'limon' and then Middle English as 'lemon'.

'lemon' passed from Arabic 'laymūn' (and Persian 'limun') into Old French as 'limon', then into Middle English as 'lemon'; the modern adjective 'lemony' developed in English by attaching the suffix '-y' to 'lemon'.

Initially, 'lemon' referred to the citrus fruit; the derived adjective 'lemony' came to mean 'having the taste or smell of lemon' and later extended to describe lemon-like color and figurative senses such as 'fresh' or 'tangy'.