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^(key): /haɪ.pəʊ.æl.ə(ɹ)ˈdʒɛn.ɪk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /haɪ.po.æl.ɚˈdʒɛn.ɪk/
• Rhymes: -ɛnɪk

Adjective

hypoallergenic

1. Containing fewer allergens; minimally allergenic.
2. (immunology) Relating to a hypoallergen.

Synonyms

• hypoallergic

Translations

containing few allergens

• Arabic: مِن غَيْر المُرَجَّح أَن يُسَبِّب حَسَاسِيَّة‎ (min ḡayr al-murajjaḥ ʾan yusabbib ḥasāsiyya)
• Greek: υποαλλεργικός (el) (ypoallergikós)

• Irish: hiopailléirgineach

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.”