commodity

The word “commodity” means a raw material or basic good that is bought and sold in bulk, such as oil, wheat, or gold. In plain terms, a basic good, especially a raw material, traded in large quantities — think grain, metal, or fuel.

“Commodity” is pronounced kuh-MO-duh-tee (/kəˈmɑdəti/ in IPA).

Here is “commodity” used in a sentence: “Prices for the commodity spiked after the harvest failed.”

“Commodity” is a noun.

The word “commodity” comes from Latin. From Latin commoditas, "convenience, fitness," from commodus ("suitable"), the same root as commode and accommodate.

“Commodity” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

“Commodity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a raw material or basic good that is bought and sold in bulk, such as oil, wheat, or gold.

A commodity is typically a raw material or basic good, such as oil, wheat, or gold, that is bought and sold in bulk and is largely interchangeable regardless of who produced it. A product can be any manufactured or branded item, including ones differentiated by design, features, or brand identity, which commodities usually lack.

Describing something as having "become a commodity" means it is now treated as an interchangeable, mass-market product rather than something unique or special. This figurative use extends beyond raw materials to any good, service, or even skill that has lost its distinctiveness.

No, while the core meaning refers to raw materials or basic goods traded in bulk like oil or gold, the word also extends figuratively to anything useful or valuable that is treated as interchangeable, such as data or attention being called a commodity.