hygienic

adjective

hy·​gien·​ic ˌhī-ˈjē-nik  -ˈje- 

also

-jē-ˈe-nik 

1

a

: of or relating to hygiene

b

: having or showing good hygiene

hygienic conditions

2

a

: antiseptic sense 2c

… sweetly hygienic production … comic in an entirely innocuous way …

—John W. Aldridge

b

: antiseptic sense 3

… a hygienic view of national realities and moral imperatives.

—I. L. Horowitz

hygienically

ˌhī-ˈjē-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈje-

 

also

-jē-ˈe-ni- 

adverb

Synonyms of hygienic

• sanitary
• sterile

Examples of hygienic in a Sentence

For hygienic reasons, restaurants should wash silverware and drinking glasses more than once.

The hygienic conditions of the operating room are maintained by the nursing staff.

The prisoners' living quarters were not hygienic.

Recent Examples on the Web

Drip Line is an expandable kitchen aid that fits over every sink, creating a hygienic place to store and dry out rags. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Reusable Gloves Reusable gloves help protect your hands from bacteria and cleaning products while making toilet cleaning more hygienic. — Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Any waste materials were removed regularly to maintain hygienic conditions. — Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 1 July 2026

This inexpensive folding brush with a mirror stays in its own hygienic bag in your carry-on ready to save you from looking like you just came in from a wild night out. — Carin Ryan, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hygienic

• edenic
• acetylenic
• enoch
• scenic
• muscarinic
• neurasthenic
• neutropenic
• nicotinic
• unhygienic
• thrombocytopenic

Kids Definition

hygienic

adjective

hy·​gien·​ic ˌhī-jē-ˈen-ik  hī-ˈjen-  hī-ˈjēn- 

: of, relating to, or leading toward good health or hygiene

hygienically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

hygienic

adjective

hy·​gien·​ic ˌhī-jē-ˈen-ik  hī-ˈjen-  hī-ˈjēn- 

: of, relating to, or conducive to health or hygiene

hygienically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb