'monopoly-friendly' originates in modern English as a compound of 'monopoly' and 'friendly', where 'monopoly' referred to exclusive control of supply and 'friendly' meant 'being supportive of'.

'monopoly' came into English via Late Latin 'monopolium' from Greek 'monopolion' (from 'monos' meaning 'single' + 'polein' meaning 'to sell'); 'friendly' comes from Old English 'freondlic' (from 'freond' meaning 'friend' + suffix '-lic'). These elements combined in modern usage to form the compound 'monopoly-friendly'.

Initially, 'monopoly' referred specifically to exclusive selling rights or sole control of a trade; 'friendly' originally described a disposition like a friend. Over time the compound came to mean 'supportive of or beneficial to monopoly power' in policy and business contexts.