hygroscopic UK /haɪɡɹəˈskɒpɪk/US /ˌhaɪɡɹəˈskɑpɪk/ adjective1 •Readily taking up and retaining water, especially from the atmosphere.All fertilizers tested are drillable at relative humidities below 50 per cent, but no fertilizer remains drillable when exposed to a humidity above its hygroscopic point. — 1930 formsmore hygroscopic · most hygroscopic