'mineral-free' is a modern English compound formed from 'mineral' + 'free'. 'mineral' originates from Medieval Latin, specifically the word 'minerale' (from Latin roots related to mines), where the root referred to substances from a mine; 'free' originates from Old English 'frēo', meaning 'not in bondage' or 'exempt'.

'mineral' entered English via Middle French/Medieval Latin as 'minerale' and became Middle English 'mineral'; 'free' developed from Old English 'frēo' to Modern English 'free'. The compound 'mineral-free' was formed in Modern English (chiefly from the late 19th to 20th century) for descriptive and labeling use.

Originally the components meant 'a substance from a mine' ('mineral') and 'not bound/exempt' ('free'); together as a compound they evolved to mean 'without minerals' in contexts such as water, cosmetics, and product formulations.