organic

American  

[awr-gan-ik] / ɔrˈgæn ɪk /

adjective

1. noting or pertaining to a class of chemical compounds that formerly comprised only those existing in or derived from plants or animals, but that now includes all other compounds of carbon.

   Antonyms:

   inorganic

2. characteristic of, pertaining to, or derived from living organisms.

   organic remains found in rocks.

3. of or relating to an organ or the organs of an animal, plant, or fungus.

4. of, relating to, or affecting living tissue.

   organic pathology.

5. Psychology. caused by neurochemical, neuroendocrinologic, structural, or other physical impairment or change: organic disorder.

6. Philosophy. having an organization similar in its complexity to that of living things.

7. characterized by the systematic arrangement of parts; organized; organized; systematic.

   elements fitting together into a unified, organic whole.

8. of or relating to the basic constitution or structure of a thing; constitutional; structural.

   The flaws in your writing are too organic to be easily remedied.

   Synonyms:

   basic, fundamental, inherent

9. developing in a manner analogous to the natural growth and evolution characteristic of living organisms; arising as a natural outgrowth.

10. viewing or explaining something as having a growth and development analogous to that of living organisms.

    an organic theory of history.

11. pertaining to, involving, or grown with fertilizers or pesticides of animal or vegetable origin, as distinguished from manufactured chemicals.

    organic farming; organic fruits.

12. Law. of or relating to the constitutional or essential law or laws of organizing the government of a state.

13. Architecture. noting or pertaining to any work of architecture regarded as analogous to plant or animal forms in having a structure and a plan that fulfill perfectly the functional requirements for the building and that form in themselves an intellectually lucid, integrated whole.

14. Fine Arts. of or relating to the shapes or forms in a work of art that are of irregular contour and seem to resemble or suggest forms found in nature.

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noun

1. a substance, as a fertilizer or pesticide, of animal or vegetable origin.

organic British  

/ ɔːˈɡænɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, derived from, or characteristic of living plants and animals

2. of or relating to animal or plant constituents or products having a carbon basis

3. of or relating to one or more organs of an animal or plant

4. of, relating to, or belonging to the class of chemical compounds that are formed from carbon Compare inorganic

   an organic compound

5. constitutional in the structure of something; fundamental; integral

6. of or characterized by the coordination of integral parts; organized

7. developing naturally

   organic change through positive education

8. of or relating to the essential constitutional laws regulating the government of a state

   organic law

9. of, relating to, or grown with the use of fertilizers or pesticides deriving from animal or vegetable matter, rather than from chemicals

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noun

1. any substance, such as a fertilizer or pesticide, that is derived from animal or vegetable matter

2. organic food collectively

organic Scientific  

/ ôr-găn′ĭk /

1. Involving organisms or the products of their life processes.

2. Relating to chemical compounds containing carbon, especially hydrocarbons.

3. Using or produced with fertilizers or pesticides that are strictly of animal or vegetable origin.

4. Relating to or affecting organs or an organ of the body. An organic disease is one in which there is a demonstrable abnormality on physical examination, laboratory testing, or other diagnostic studies.

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organic Cultural  

1. In medicine, a descriptive term for things or conditions that have to do with an organ in the body. The term can also refer to something that is derived from living organisms.

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Other Word Forms

• hyperorganic adjective
• nonorganic adjective
• organically adverb
• organicalness noun
• organicity noun
• preorganic adjective
• pseudoorganic adjective
• quasi-organic adjective
• semiorganic adjective
• suborganic adjective
• unorganic adjective

Etymology

Origin of organic

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “pertaining to an organ of the body,” from Latin organicus “by or employing a mechanical device, instrumental,” from Greek organikós; equivalent to organ + -ic

Explanation

If you take up organic farming, be sure to use organic fertilizer, not some artificial chemical. Organic describes things that are natural or related to nature. In common usage, organic is used to mean “healthful” or “close to nature.” It can also describe foods grown without artificial pesticides or fertilizers. In other uses, organic refers to living things or material that comes from living things. In a more medical sense, organic means “relating to the organs of the body,” and in a legal sense, organic describes something that is central to an organization or a government.

Example Sentences

However, many of these processes depend on toxic organic solvents.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

Consumers can minimize their risk of exposure to harmful food chemicals by choosing organic produce over non-organic produce and researching the nutritional and processing information for their favorite products.

From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026

Based in L.A. at the time, Emek was widely recognized for his blend of organic and industrial elements, establishing himself as a prolific concert poster artist.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Still, the remaining business has seen organic sales shrink 16% from a year ago in the first nine months of fiscal 2026.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

No matter what its original condition, the intense rain and heat of the forest have eroded its surface, washed out all its minerals, and decomposed vital organic compounds.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

• biological
• nuclear