commercial

American  

[kuh-mur-shuhl] / kəˈmɜr ʃəl /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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noun

1. a commercially sponsored advertisement on radio or television

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• anticommercial
  adjective
• anticommercially
  adverb
• anticommercialness
  noun
• commerciality
  noun
• commercially
  adverb
• 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

Etymology

Origin of commercial

First recorded in 1680–90; commerce + -ial

Explanation

Commercial is an adjective describing something with money-making and marketing intentions. If you’re a bit of a book snob, steer clear of commercial fiction, which is written for the widest enjoyment. The adjective commercial first appeared in the 1680’s, long before television commercials, which is probably what you think of when you hear the word. An al was added to commerce, and it meant "pertaining to trade." It wasn’t until the 1870's that commercial meant “done for the sake of financial profit,” and then later in the 1930's, the noun form was refined to describe “an advertisement broadcast on radio or TV.”

Example Sentences

The company reported Q1 commercial aerospace profit margins of 26.4%, an increase of over seven percentage points from Q1 2024.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

Angelini intends to integrate Catalyst’s portfolio and commercial infrastructure with its expertise and products in brain health to develop a next-generation therapeutic platform in rare diseases.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

The club and the supporters board will continue discussions on a plan for future seasons, including exploring commercial ideas to avoid future ticket price increases and address issues around affordability.

From BBC • May 7, 2026

The Dutch woman had flown on a commercial plane from the island of Saint Helena to Johannesburg while she was showing symptoms.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The signs for applause flashed again, and we went to commercial break.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• economic
• financial
• monetary
• profit-making
• profitable
• wholesale