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

—J. 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

• aseptic
• germfree
• 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

Pick a hygienic tattoo parlor, and consider your health history: Tattooing involves piercing the skin deeply, creating wounds susceptible to infection if proper sanitation practices are not followed. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 13 May 2024

Your Questions, Answered What is the most hygienic cutting board material? —Rachael Hogg, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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