organic
Organic (adj) means relating to or coming from living things. Example: “Organic matter in the soil helps plants grow.”
How to use organic
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNatural and free of artificial chemicals (for food), or developing naturally rather than being forced (for growth or change).
In marketing, "organic" search results or growth means unpaid/natural — not related to the food sense at all.
Word forms
more organic comparative, organics plural, most organic superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ matter in the soil helps plants grow.
Etymology
From Latin organicus, ultimately from Greek órganon, "instrument" or "organ."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for organic
See all rhymes for organic →Frequently asked questions
What does “organic” mean?
The word “organic” means relating to or coming from living things. In plain terms, natural and free of artificial chemicals (for food), or developing naturally rather than being forced (for growth or change).
How do you pronounce “organic”?
“Organic” is pronounced aw-GA-nihk (/oɹˈɡænɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “organic” in a sentence?
Here is “organic” used in a sentence: “Organic matter in the soil helps plants grow.”
What part of speech is “organic”?
“Organic” is an adjective.
Where does the word “organic” come from?
The word “organic” comes from Latin. From Latin organicus, ultimately from Greek órganon, "instrument" or "organ.".
Is “organic” a common word?
“Organic” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “organic” have?
“Organic” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: relating to or coming from living things.
What is the difference between organic and inorganic?
Organic refers to things relating to or coming from living organisms — plants, animals, and their remains. Inorganic describes matter not derived from living things, such as rocks, metals, and minerals. In chemistry the split rests on carbon: organic compounds are carbon-based, while most inorganic ones are not.
What does 'organic' mean in food?
In food, organic means produced without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilisers, or genetic modification, following certified farming standards. It draws on the wider sense of the word — natural and derived from living things — to signal that crops and livestock are raised in a more natural way. Certified products carry an official label.
What are the meanings of organic?
The word has several linked senses. Broadly it means relating to living things. In farming it means grown naturally without synthetic chemicals. In chemistry it means carbon-based. Figuratively, 'organic' growth means something developing gradually and naturally rather than being forced or artificially arranged.
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