'modernistic' originates from English, specifically formed from the word 'modern' plus the adjectival suffix '-istic', where 'modern' ultimately came from Latin 'modernus' (from 'modo', meaning 'just now') and '-istic' indicates 'relating to' or 'characteristic of'.

'modernistic' developed from the adjective 'modern' (from Medieval/Modern English), which in turn came from Late Latin 'modernus' (from Latin 'modo' meaning 'just now'); the suffix '-istic' (from Greek/Latin adjectival formation) was attached to create a term meaning 'relating to modern or modernism'.

Initially the root 'modern' meant 'of the present or recent times'; over time the compound 'modernistic' came to mean 'relating to modern style or modernism' and sometimes acquired a secondary sense of 'affectedly modern' or 'superficially trendy'.