hypoallergenic

English

Etymology

Coined between 1950 and 1955 from hypo- + allergenic. Some say that it was coined by advertisers in 1953. Merriam-Webster puts the date at 1940.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /haɪ.pəʊ.æl.ə(ɹ)ˈdʒɛn.ɪk/, SAMPA: /haI.p@U.{l.@(r\)"dZEnIk/
• (US) IPA: /haɪ.po.æl.ɚˈdʒɛn.ɪk/, SAMPA: /haI.po.{l.@`"dZEn.Ik/
• Rhymes: -ɛnɪk

Adjective

hypoallergenic

1. Containing fewer allergens.

Synonyms

• hypoallergic

Translations

containing few allergens

Arabic: من غير المرجح ان يسبب حساسية (ar) Greek: υποαλλεργικός (el) (ypoallergikós)

Irish: hiopailléirgineach (ga)

Usage notes

The term is used by advertisers for cosmetics, jewelry, pets, food, and so on, but it does not have a precise medical meaning. The FDA tells consumers, “There are no federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term hypoallergenic. The term hypoallergenic means whatever a particular company wants it to mean.”