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

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."

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 notes

In 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.

Memory tip

Stress the third syllable: er-go-NOM-ic.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

ergonomics → economic →

Common pairings

ergonomic chair ergonomic keyboard ergonomic design ergonomic assessment

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

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.

Origin: Greek

Synonyms

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comfort-designed body-friendly well-designed

Rhymes for ergonomic

comic atomic economic subatomic socioeconomic

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.