inorganic

[ in-awr-gan-ik ]

/ ˌɪn ɔrˈgæn ɪk /

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See synonyms for inorganic on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not having the structure or organization characteristic of living bodies.

not characterized by vital processes.

Chemistry. noting or pertaining to compounds that are not hydrocarbons or their derivatives.Compare organic (def. 1).

not fundamental or related; extraneous.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of inorganic

First recorded in 1785–95; in-³ + organic

OTHER WORDS FROM inorganic

in·or·gan·i·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby inorganic

in orbit, in order, inordinate, inordinately, inorg., inorganic, inorganic chemistry, inorganic molecules, inorganization, inosculate, inosilicate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use inorganic in a sentence

“We will utilise the IPO proceedings for funding organic and inorganic growth initiatives, and for general corporate purposes,” Zomato’s chief financial officer Akshant Goyal said.
The much-awaited Zomato IPO is finally here|Niharika Sharma|July 8, 2021|Quartz
Minerals are “considered to be naturally occurring, inorganic solid substances,” Rossman explains.
How minerals and rocks reflect rainbows, glow in the dark, and otherwise blow your mind|Lauren Leffer|June 28, 2021|Popular-Science
Blame is usually attributed to particulate matter — organic and inorganic particles suspended in the air, including pollen, ash and pollutants.
Wildfires launch microbes into the air. How big of a health risk is that?|Megan Sever|April 13, 2021|Science News
The FDA has set the maximum allowable levels in bottled water at 10 ppb of inorganic arsenic.
FDA to urge limits on heavy metals in baby foods, starting with arsenic and lead|Laura Reiley|April 12, 2021|Washington Post

It may be only a few more centuries before humans are overtaken or transcended by inorganic intelligence, which will then persist, continuing to evolve on a faster-than-Darwinian timescale for billions of years.
If Aliens Exist, Here’s How We’ll Find Them - Issue 97: Wonder|Martin Rees & Mario Livio|February 24, 2021|Nautilus
Table showing the quantity of inorganic matters in 100 parts of different plants dried at 212°.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
These actions, operating through a long series of years, are the source of the inorganic constituents of all soils.
Elements of Agricultural Chemistry|Thomas Anderson
While the constants of a large number of organic bases194 have been determined few constants of inorganic bases are as yet known.
The Elements of Qualitative Chemical Analysis, vol. 1, parts 1 and 2.|Julius Stieglitz
Such is not always the case, for some bacteria seem to be able to build up protein out of simple inorganic nitrogenous substances.
A Civic Biology|George William Hunter
Mineral matters are inorganic, being chlorides, carbonates or phosphates of calcium, sodium and potassium.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson

British Dictionary definitions for inorganic

inorganic

/ (ˌɪnɔːˈɡænɪk) /

adjective

not having the structure or characteristics of living organisms; not organic

relating to or denoting chemical compounds that do not contain carbonCompare organic (def. 4)

not having a system, structure, or ordered relation of parts; amorphous

not resulting from or produced by growth; artificial

linguistics denoting or relating to a sound or letter introduced into the pronunciation or spelling of a word at some point in its history

Derived forms of inorganic

inorganically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for inorganic

inorganic

[ ĭn′ôr-găn′ĭk ]

Not involving organisms or the products of their life processes.

Relating to chemical compounds that occur mainly outside of living or once living organisms, such as those in rocks, minerals, and ceramics. Most inorganic compounds lack carbon, such as salt (NaCl) and ammonia (NH3); a few, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), do contain it, but never attached to hydrogen atoms as in hydrocarbons. Inorganic molecules tend to have a relatively small number of atoms as compared with organic molecules.

inorganic

Origin of inorganic

OTHER WORDS FROM inorganic

Words nearby inorganic

Words related to inorganic

How to use inorganic in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for inorganic

Derived forms of inorganic

Scientific definitions for inorganic