commercial

[kuh-mur-shuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of commerce.

2. engaged in commerce.

3. prepared, done, or acting with sole or chief emphasis on salability, profit, or success.

   a commercial product; His attitude toward the theater is very commercial.

4. able to yield or make a profit.

   We decided that the small oil well was not commercial.

5. suitable or fit for a wide, popular market.

   Communications satellites are gradually finding a commercial use.

6. suitable for or catering to business rather than private use.

   commercial kitchen design; commercial refrigeration.

7. (of a vehicle or its use)

   1. engaged in transporting passengers or goods for profit.

   2. civilian and public, as distinguished from military or private.

8. not entirely or chemically pure.

   commercial soda.

9. catering especially to traveling salespeople by offering reduced rates, space for exhibiting products, etc..

   a commercial hotel.

10. (in U.S. government grading of beef ) graded between standard and utility.

11. paid for by advertisers.

    commercial television.

noun

1. Radio and Television.,  a paid advertisement or promotional announcement.

2. (in U.S. government grading of beef )

   1. a low-quality grade of beef between standard and utility.

   2. a cut of beef of this grade.

3. British Informal.,  a traveling salesperson.

commercial

/ kəˈmɜːʃəl, kəˌmɜːʃɪˈælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, connected with, or engaged in commerce; mercantile

2. sponsored or paid for by an advertiser

   commercial television

3. having profit as the main aim

   commercial music

4. (of goods, chemicals, etc) of unrefined quality or presentation and produced in bulk for use in industry

noun

1. a commercially sponsored advertisement on radio or television

Other Word Forms

• commercially adverb
• anticommercial adjective
• anticommercially adverb
• anticommercialness noun
• countercommercial adjective
• noncommercial adjective
• noncommercially adverb
• precommercial adjective
• procommercial adjective
• quasi-commercial adjective
• quasi-commercially adverb
• semicommercial adjective
• semicommercially adverb
• supercommercial adjective
• supercommercially adverb
• ultracommercial adjective
• commerciality noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of commercial¹

First recorded in 1680–90; commerce + -ial

Synonym Study

Commercial, mercantile refer to the activities of business, industry, and trade. Commercial is the broader term, covering all the activities and relationships of industry and trade. In a derogatory sense it may mean such a preoccupation with the affairs of commerce as results in indifference to considerations other than wealth: commercial treaties; a merely commercial viewpoint. Mercantile applies to the purchase and sale of goods, or to the transactions of business: a mercantile house or class.

Example Sentences

The Snapdragon deal has helped them leapfrog back above Liverpool in terms of commercial revenue.

From BBC

The proposal has also drawn criticism from aviation officials, who say the restrictions could affect the operations of small local airports and add time and cost to commercial flights.

From Los Angeles Times

Officials say the state visit created an impetus for both sides in recent months to chivvy commercial deals along so both sides had wins they could announce to their domestic audiences during the visit.

From BBC

“The Sting” was a commercial and critical triumph, sweeping seven Oscars including best picture and earning Redford his only acting nomination.

From Los Angeles Times

Its commercial success has been moderate during the past two decades, but a virtual gallery of British musical royalty appears on “International.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• economic 
• financial 
• monetary 
• profit-making www.thesaurus.com
• profitable 
• wholesale