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

Synonym Usage

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 strikes were defensive, officials said, after Iran launched drones at commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

In his view, taking Pasqal public is a validation of the company’s commercial readiness.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

Was he primarily motivated by racism or by military and commercial pragmatism?

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

“The rules are pretty much the same — you need to grab the listener as soon as possible. For a commercial, you’ve got about five seconds. For a pop song, you’ve got 10.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Even old-lady jeans that look like something out of a commercial for Rocky Mountain hiking.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

Related Words

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