'imbalanced' originates from the prefix 'im-' meaning 'not' and the word 'balance', which comes from Latin 'bilanx', meaning 'having two scales'.

'imbalance' changed from the Old French word 'balance' and eventually became the modern English word 'balance', with 'im-' added to denote the opposite.

Initially, it meant 'not having equal weight', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'lacking balance'.