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

Bamboo mats are also highly hygienic, allowing water to dry quickly and preventing mold or mildew growth. —Jené Luciani Sena, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025

American Primeval is likely to earn the ire of Mormons and Native American advocacy groups alike (the U.S. military is presented as pompous and ineffective, but somewhat hygienic). —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Jan. 2025

As of January 2025, the Brantford facility has undergone a hygienic restoration and is once again producing griddle products for our customers. —Jasmine Laws, Newsweek, 16 Nov. 2024

This practical and luxe-looking gift will brighten up their countertop and is a more hygienic option than wooden or plastic ones. —Cristian Esteban, Rolling Stone, 11 Dec. 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