adjective
biotic
by-OT-ik
Biotic (adjective) means relating to living organisms, or caused by them. Example: “Predation, competition and disease are all biotic pressures on the population.”
adjective
1
Relating to living organisms, or caused by them.
"Predation, competition and disease are all biotic pressures on the population."
"Soil health depends on both biotic and physical conditions."
2
In ecology, describing the living components of an environment, such as plants, animals, fungi and bacteria.
"Students listed the biotic factors in the pond before measuring the water."
How to use biotic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo do with living things.
When to use it
Scientific; almost always paired with abiotic in ecology lessons and textbooks.
Memory tip
If you can ask whether it is alive or was made by something alive, it is biotic.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
biotic factors
biotic potential
biotic stress
biotic community
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Predation, competition and disease are all _____ pressures on the population.
Etymology
From Greek biotikos, meaning of life, from bios meaning life.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
abiotic
non-living
Related words
Rhymes for biotic
exotic
erotic
robotic
chaotic
idiotic
neurotic
narcotic
hypnotic
amniotic
probiotic
patriotic
symbiotic
See all rhymes for biotic →
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between biotic and abiotic?
Biotic factors are the living parts of an ecosystem and anything they produce, such as animals, plants, bacteria and leaf litter. Abiotic factors are the non-living physical and chemical parts, such as temperature, sunlight, pH and rainfall. Both together shape which species can survive in a habitat.
Is dead wood biotic or abiotic?
Dead wood is usually classed as biotic, because it came from a living organism and still supports decomposers. The distinction rests on origin, not on whether the thing is currently alive.
What is the meaning of biotic?
"biotic" (adjective) means relating to living organisms, or caused by them.
What is another word for biotic?
Other words for "biotic" include living, organic, biological.
