'life' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'līf', where 'līf' meant 'life'; 'like' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'gelīc' (also seen as 'līc'/'-like'), where 'gelīc' meant 'having the form of' or 'similar to'.

'lifelike' changed from Middle English compounds formed from Old English elements (for example Middle English 'līflīk'/'liflik') and later appeared as the hyphenated form 'life-like' before stabilizing as the single word 'lifelike' in modern English.

Initially it meant 'having the form or qualities of life' and over time this evolved into the current common meaning of 'resembling real life' or 'very realistic'.