Word
biotic
Phoneticsbi·ot·ic
UK/baɪˈɒtɪk/
Definition
adj. relating to living things in nature, such as plants, animals, and microbes. You use it to talk about parts of an environment that are alive or come from living things.
adj. relating to living organisms or the effects of their activity within an ecosystem. Frequently contrasted with abiotic, which covers non-living physical factors such as light, water, and temperature.
Examples
“Trees and birds are biotic parts of the forest.”
“The pond study lists fish and algae as biotic factors that shape water quality.”
“The researchers separated biotic pressures, such as grazing and disease, from abiotic pressures like drought when explaining the grassland decline.”
Examples
simple
“Trees and birds are biotic parts of the forest.”
contextual
“The pond study lists fish and algae as biotic factors that shape water quality.”
complex
“The researchers separated biotic pressures, such as grazing and disease, from abiotic pressures like drought when explaining the grassland decline.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “biotic” in context.
Verb
01. assess biotic
“Scientists assess biotic health by sampling insects and plants.”
verb + adj
02. depend on biotic
“Crop yields depend on biotic processes like pollination and decay.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
03. biotic community
“The pond supports a diverse biotic community of fish and insects.”
adj + noun
04. biotic component
“Fungi are an essential biotic component of healthy forest soil.”
adj + noun
05. biotic diversity
“Conservation efforts aim to protect biotic diversity in rainforests.”
adj + noun
06. biotic factor
“Predation is a key biotic factor that controls rabbit populations.”
adj + noun
07. biotic interaction
“Pollination is a vital biotic interaction between bees and flowers.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. biotic index of
“Researchers used the biotic index of the stream to check pollution.”
adj + noun + prep
09. biotic integrity of
“We measured the biotic integrity of the river using fish counts.”
adj + noun + prep
10. biotic origin of
“Coal is a fuel of ancient biotic origin from decayed plants.”
adj + noun + prep
11. assess biotic integrity
“Ecologists regularly assess biotic integrity to monitor river health.”
12. biotic and abiotic factors
“Plant growth is shaped by both biotic and abiotic factors.”
Usage
Typically placed before the noun it modifies, most often in the collocation 'biotic factors'.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek βιωτικός (biōtikós, “of life”), from βίος (bíos, “life”). Equivalent to bio- + -otic.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/biotic