adjective
ergonomic
ur-guh-NOM-ik
Ergonomic (adjective) means Designed to fit the human body so that it can be used comfortably and without strain or injury. Example: “An ergonomic chair supports the lower back so you are not hunching by mid-afternoon.”
adjective
1
Designed to fit the human body so that it can be used comfortably and without strain or injury.
"An ergonomic chair supports the lower back so you are not hunching by mid-afternoon."
"She swapped to an ergonomic keyboard after the wrist pain started."
2
Relating to ergonomics, the study of how people interact with equipment and workspaces.
"The company carried out an ergonomic assessment of every desk."
How to use ergonomic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishShaped so it is comfortable for your body to use.
When to use it
Neutral, and heavily used in product marketing, where it is often applied loosely.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
ergonomic chair
ergonomic keyboard
ergonomic design
ergonomic assessment
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An _____ chair supports the lower back so you are not hunching by mid-afternoon.
Etymology
From Greek ergon 'work' and nomos 'law', by way of the noun ergonomics, the study of efficiency in the working environment.
Synonyms
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comfort-designed
body-friendly
well-designed
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ergonomic
See all rhymes for ergonomic →Frequently asked questions
What actually makes a chair ergonomic?
Adjustability, mainly: seat height, seat depth, armrest height and lumbar support that you can move to fit your own body, plus a backrest that tilts. A chair that cannot be adjusted is not ergonomic no matter what the marketing says, because bodies differ.
What is the difference between ergonomic and ergonomics?
Ergonomics is the field of study — a noun, treated as singular. Ergonomic is the adjective describing something designed according to that field's findings, as in an ergonomic mouse.
What is the meaning of ergonomic?
"ergonomic" (adjective) means designed to fit the human body so that it can be used comfortably and without strain or injury.
What is another word for ergonomic?
Other words for "ergonomic" include comfort-designed, body-friendly, well-designed.
