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

Not only is the presentation of these mini desserts adorable, but personal portions are also more hygienic and easier for the host to serve. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 18 May 2025

Not all laundry hampers are made equal, some are more hygienic than others. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Apr. 2025

Stainless steel is much more hygienic than plastic, which can easily harbor harmful bacteria and cause problems like cat acne. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 11 Apr. 2025

These pros are finally settling the debate and sharing the most hygienic way to flush your toilet. —Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for hygienic

• acetylenic
• enoch
• scenic
• muscarinic
• 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