anthropometrics: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “anthropometrics” mean?
The scientific measurement of the human body and its parts, especially for comparative analysis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The scientific measurement of the human body and its parts, especially for comparative analysis.
The study and application of body measurements to assess physical variation, design ergonomic products, or establish size standards.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Both use the term identically in technical contexts.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, confined to specialised fields like ergonomics, anthropology, and product design.
Grammar
How to Use “anthropometrics” in a Sentence
The study of anthropometricsResearch in anthropometricsData from anthropometricsPrinciples of anthropometricsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anthropometrics” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form]
American English
- [No standard verb form]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form]
American English
- [No standard adverb form]
adjective
British English
- The chair was designed using anthropometric principles.
- They collected anthropometric data from 500 participants.
American English
- The cockpit design followed anthropometric standards.
- Anthropometric charts help tailor equipment to user size.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in product design, apparel manufacturing, and workplace ergonomics to ensure items fit the target population.
Academic
Central to research in biological anthropology, human factors engineering, and kinesiology.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Essential in ergonomics, industrial design, forensic science, and military equipment specification.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anthropometrics”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “anthropometrics”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anthropometrics”
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'three anthropometrics'); treating it as always singular (can be plural when referring to multiple datasets); confusing it with 'anthropometry' (the discipline vs. the measurements).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically treated as a singular noun (e.g., 'Anthropometrics is a key field'), though it ends in -s. It can be plural when referring to multiple sets of measurement data.
'Anthropometry' is the discipline or practice of taking human body measurements. 'Anthropometrics' often refers to the resulting data or the application of that data.
No, 'anthropometric' is strictly an adjective (e.g., anthropometric data). The noun forms are 'anthropometrics' or 'anthropometry'.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised term used almost exclusively in technical, academic, or design contexts.
The scientific measurement of the human body and its parts, especially for comparative analysis.
Anthropometrics is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Anthropometrics: in British English it is pronounced /ˌænθrəpəˈmɛtrɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænθrəpəˈmɛtrɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ANTHROPO (human) + METRICS (measurements) = measuring humans.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY IS A MEASURABLE OBJECT; HUMANS ARE DATASETS.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is anthropometrics LEAST likely to be a core concern?