Unhygienic
/ˌʌnhaɪˈdʒiːnɪk/noun
Not clean or sanitary enough to promote or maintain health.
Did you know?The word ultimately connects to Hygieia, the Greek personification of health and cleanliness, whose name also gave English “hygiene.”
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑγιεινός (hygieinós)
“Healthy; conducive to health”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὑγίεια (hygíeia)
“Health; soundness; the name of the goddess Hygieia”
16th Century
Latin
hygienicus
“Relating to health or healthy living”
18th Century
French
hygiénique
“Hygienic; health-preserving”
19th Century
English
hygienic
“Conducive to health or cleanliness”
19th Century
English
unhygienic
“Not hygienic; unsanitary”