'scepticism' originates from Modern Latin and French, specifically the French word 'scepticisme' and the New Latin 'scepticismus', where the root comes from Greek 'skeptikos' (σκέπτικος) meaning 'inquisitive' or 'one who examines'.

'scepticism' changed from Greek 'skeptikos' to Late Latin/New Latin forms and French 'scepticisme', and eventually entered English as 'scepticism' in the 17th century.

Initially it referred to the attitude of inquiry or examination ('one who looks or examines'), but over time it evolved into the modern sense of 'doubt or distrust about claims', including the philosophical position questioning certainty.