hypoallergenic

English

Etymology

Coined between 1950 and 1955 from hypo- +‎ allergenic.[1] Some say that it was coined by advertisers in 1953.[2] Merriam-Webster puts the date at 1940.[3]

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /haɪ.pəʊ.æl.ə(ɹ)ˈdʒɛn.ɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /haɪ.poʊ.æl.ɚˈd͡ʒɛn.ɪk/
  • Rhymes: -ɛnɪk

Adjective

hypoallergenic (comparative more hypoallergenic, superlative most hypoallergenic)

  1. Containing fewer allergens; minimally allergenic.
    • 2017, Howard Bennett, The Fantastic Body: What Makes You Tick & How You Get Sick:
      However, unless you have a nonshedding, nonlicking breed, there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. How about a nice goldfish instead?
  2. (immunology) Relating to a hypoallergen.

Usage notes

The first sense of 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.”[2]

Synonyms

Translations

References

  1. ^ “hypoallergenic”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Carmel Smyth (3 October 2000) “Hypoallergenic: What's in a Word?”, in Marketplace Microscope‎[1], CBC, archived from the original on 10 June 2004
  3. ^ “hypoallergenic”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
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