'uncritically' originates from English, formed from the prefix 'un-' and the adjective 'critical', where 'un-' meant 'not' and 'critical' ultimately comes from Greek 'kritikos' meaning 'able to judge'.

'Uncritical' developed in Modern English by combining Old English/Proto-Germanic prefix 'un-' with 'critical' (via Middle English from Old French/Latin); 'critical' derives from Latin 'criticus' and Greek 'kritikos', and the adverbial suffix '-ly' was added to form 'uncritically'.

Initially related simply to 'not critical' (i.e., 'not involving criticism'), the term has retained that core sense but has also acquired a stronger implication of 'unquestioning' or 'insufficiently reflective' in modern usage.