'noncommercially' originates from Modern English, formed from the adjective 'noncommercial' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'; the prefix 'non-' originates from Old English/Latin 'non' meaning 'not', and 'commercial' ultimately derives from Latin 'commercium' meaning 'trade'.

'commercial' changed from Latin 'commercium' to Medieval Latin 'commercialis', then via Old French/Middle English 'commercial' into modern English; the negative prefix 'non-' was added to form 'noncommercial', and the Old English-derived adverbial suffix '-ly' (from 'lic', meaning 'having the nature of') produced 'noncommercially'.

Initially the roots referred to 'trade' or 'commerce'; over time the combined form came to mean 'not related to commerce' and the adverbial form 'noncommercially' has the current meaning 'in a manner not intended for commercial advantage'.