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

Bathing is one of humanity’s most ancient self-care rituals, but modern innovations—running water, the rush to get out of the house in the morning—have reduced it to a primarily hygienic routine. — Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 19 June 2026

Cleaning routines ensure hygienic conditions for people and pets. — Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 May 2026

From kitchen surfaces that collect crumbs to bathroom surfaces that accumulate bacteria and grime, certain spots around your home need routine cleaning to stay fresh and hygienic. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 24 May 2026

Not to mention, prepping skin with a brush instead of hands can be more hygienic and gentler on the skin barrier. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 14 May 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