hygiene

The word “hygiene” means the practices and conditions that keep people healthy and clean, especially by preventing disease. In plain terms, keeping yourself and your surroundings clean to stay healthy.

“Hygiene” is pronounced HEYE-jeen (/ˈhaɪˌd͡ʒiːn/ in IPA).

Here is “hygiene” used in a sentence: “Good hygiene, like regular handwashing, helps stop germs from spreading.”

“Hygiene” is a noun.

The word “hygiene” comes from French. From French hygiène, from Greek hugieinē tekhnē, literally "the art of health," from hugies, meaning "healthy.".

“Hygiene” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

"Hygiene" refers to the practices and conditions that keep people healthy and clean, especially by preventing disease, while "cleanliness" more narrowly describes the state of being clean or free of dirt. Hygiene is broader, encompassing habits and conditions aimed specifically at health and disease prevention, not just tidiness.

Common hygiene practices include handwashing, regular bathing, oral care, and food safety habits, all aimed at keeping people healthy and preventing disease. These practices form the core of what the word "hygiene" describes in everyday and medical contexts.

Hygiene practices and conditions are specifically designed to keep people healthy and clean by reducing exposure to harmful bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing agents. Consistent hygiene habits are a primary line of defense against the spread of illness in both personal and public settings.