'neutrophilic' originates from New Latin/modern scientific formation, specifically from the word 'neutrophil' plus the adjectival suffix '-ic', where 'neutrophil' was formed from 'neutro-' (from Latin 'neuter' meaning 'neither' or 'neutral') and '-phil' (from Greek 'philos' meaning 'loving' or 'affinity').

'neutrophilic' developed by adding the suffix '-ic' to the earlier scientific noun 'neutrophil' (coined in the late 19th century to describe white blood cells that stain neutrally); the element 'neutro-' referred to neutral staining/neutral (pH) properties, and '-phil' indicated affinity.

Initially the root term referred to cells that did not stain strongly with acidic or basic dyes (i.e., 'neutral'-staining cells); over time the derivative 'neutrophilic' has come to mean both 'relating to or rich in neutrophils' in immunology and 'preferring neutral pH' in microbiology/ecology.