'pragmatically-oriented' is a modern compound formed from 'pragmatic' + adverbial suffix '-ally' and 'oriented'. 'Pragmatic' ultimately originates from Greek 'pragma' meaning 'deed, thing' (via Late Latin and French), and 'orient' comes from Latin 'oriens' meaning 'rising' (the east).

'Pragmatic' entered English via Late Latin 'pragmaticus' and French 'pragmatique'; 'orient' entered from Latin 'orientare' through Old French and Middle English. The compound 'pragmatically-oriented' is a recent English formation combining these established elements to express orientation toward practical matters.

Initially, 'pragmatic' meant 'relating to action or deeds' and 'orient' meant 'to turn toward (originally the east)'; over time 'pragmatic' shifted toward 'practical, results-focused' and 'oriented' toward 'directed at a goal', yielding the modern sense 'directed toward practical results'.