ergonomic
er-guh-NOM-ik
/ˌɜːrɡəˈnɒmɪk/
Designed to be comfortable and efficient for the human body.
Focuses on the interaction between the athlete's body and the equipment to reduce strain.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1857 by Wojciech Jastrzębowski, it combines the Greek 'ergon' (work) and 'nomos' (natural law). It is literally the 'natural laws of work'.
Word relationships
- user-friendly: User-friendly is general; ergonomic is specifically about physical comfort and efficiency.
Commonly confused with
- economic: Economic relates to money; ergonomic relates to physical work and comfort.
Word family
- ergonomics (noun): The study of people's efficiency in their working environment.
Collocations
- ergonomic design
- ergonomic handle
- ergonomic keyboard
- ergonomically sound
Example sentences
- "The new ergonomic bike saddle reduces pressure on the lower back during long rides." Product design
- "The company invested in ergonomic chairs to prevent employee injury." Office health
Memory hook
Ergo (therefore) + Nomic (economic) = Therefore, it's an economic use of your energy. Work with the body's laws.
When not to use
Don't use to describe something that is just 'pretty'; it must relate to physical efficiency.
Fun facts
- Ergonomics became a major field during WWII when pilots needed cockpits designed for faster reaction times.
Related words
Explore more words
efficient, utilitarian, efficiency, streamline, spatial, productivity
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