Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “hygiene” come from?

Hygiene comes from French hygiène, from Ancient Greek ὑγιαίνω (to be healthy), derived from the adjective ὑγιής (healthy), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂yu-gʷih₃-.

hygiene (English): The science of health, its promotion and...

Definitions

  1. The science of health, its promotion and...

Ancestry of “hygiene”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Frenchhygiènehygiene
2Ancient Greekὑγιαίνωbe healthy, sound
3Ancient Greekὑγιήςsound, healthy, hearty, strong; sound in mind:...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanh₂yu-gʷih₃-long life

Words derived from “hygiene”

  • hygienist
  • hygienics
  • hygienism
  • hyperhygienist
  • cyberhygiene
Every word from Proto-Indo-European h₂yu-gʷih₃- →