ergonomic
er-guh-NOM-ik
/ˌɜː.ɡəˈnɒm.ɪk/
Designed for efficiency and comfort in the working environment.
Specifically refers to the relationship between human bodies and the tools or environments they use.
The story behind the word. Coined in the mid-19th century from the Greek 'ergon' (work) and 'nomos' (law). It literally translates to the 'laws of work,' focusing on how to optimize the human-machine interface.
Word relationships
- user-friendly: User-friendly is broad and often refers to software; ergonomic is specific to physical comfort and efficiency.
- unwieldy: Difficult to move or handle because of its size, shape, or weight.
Commonly confused with
- economical: Economical means saving money; ergonomic means saving your back/body.
Word family
- ergonomics (noun): The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
- ergonomically (adverb): In a way that is designed for efficiency and comfort.
Collocations
- ergonomic chair
- ergonomic design
- ergonomic assessment
- ergonomic workstation
Example sentences
- "The new office chairs were designed with ergonomic principles to reduce back strain and improve productivity." Office Setup
- "An ergonomic keyboard can help prevent repetitive strain injuries for those who type for long hours." Product Design
Memory hook
ERGO (therefore) I can work longer because it's NOM-ic (normal/comfortable). The laws of work comfort.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'comfortable' in a general sense (like a soft bed); it implies a design based on physical science.
Fun facts
- The term was first used by Polish scientist Wojciech Jastrzębowski in 1857 in a philosophical narrative.
Related words
Explore more words
efficient, utilitarian, efficiency, streamline, spatial, productivity
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