English Reference

Word

organic

Phoneticsor·gan·ic, stress on the second syllable

US/ɔɹˈɡænɪk/

UK/ɔːɡˈænɪk/

Definitions

01food/farming

B1 · Intermediate Cooking

adj. grown or produced without using artificial chemicals or pesticides.

adj. produced or involving production without the use of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.

“She prefers to buy organic vegetables at the local farmers' market.”

“The farm transitioned to organic methods three years ago, successfully eliminating synthetic pesticides while maintaining a high crop yield.”

Synonyms

naturalpesticide-free

Antonyms

non-organicconventional

02living things

B2 · Upper Intermediate Science

adj. relating to or coming from living things like plants and animals.

adj. relating to, being, or characteristic of a living organism.

“The soil is rich in organic matter from fallen leaves.”

“The geologist identified organic remains within the sedimentary rock, suggesting the area was once a lush tropical forest.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

03natural growth

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. happening or developing in a natural way, without being forced or planned.

adj. developing in a gradual or natural fashion rather than being forced or artificial.

“The company's organic growth was slow but very steady.”

“The community garden started as a small project but saw organic expansion as more neighbours volunteered their time and resources.”

Antonyms

04chemistry

C1 · Advanced Science Technical

adj. relating to chemical compounds that contain carbon.

adj. relating to or denoting compounds containing carbon and chiefly or ultimately of biological origin.

“In organic chemistry, students learn about the structure of carbon molecules.”

“The laboratory specialises in the synthesis of organic compounds for use in the pharmaceutical industry.”

Synonyms

carbon-based

Antonyms

05internet search

B2 · Upper Intermediate Computing

adj. search results that appear because they are relevant, not because someone paid for an ad.

adj. denoting search engine results that are generated by algorithms rather than paid advertisements.

“We need to improve our website's content to get more organic traffic.”

“While paid ads provide immediate visibility, the marketing team focused on organic search rankings to ensure long-term sustainability.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

06organic food

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Cooking

n. food that is grown without artificial chemicals.

n. foodstuffs produced by organic farming methods.

“The shop sells a wide variety of organics, including fruit and meat.”

“The price difference between conventional produce and organics has narrowed as consumer demand for pesticide-free options continues to rise.”

Synonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “organic” in context.

Verb

01. buy organic food

“We try to buy organic food whenever our budget allows for it.”

verb + adj + noun

02. promote organic methods

“The organization works to promote organic methods among small-scale farmers.”

verb + adj + noun

Adjective

03. certified organic

“The farm only sells certified organic produce to ensure the highest quality for customers.”

adv + adj

04. purely organic

“The company's growth was purely organic, relying on word-of-mouth rather than expensive ads.”

adv + adj

Noun

05. organic matter

“Adding compost increases the amount of organic matter in the garden soil.”

adj + noun

06. organic chemistry

“She decided to major in organic chemistry to understand the molecular basis of life.”

adj + noun

07. organic farming

“Many local growers are switching to organic farming to protect the soil and biodiversity.”

adj + noun

08. organic growth

“The startup achieved impressive organic growth without any external investment.”

adj + noun

09. organic material

10. organic carbon

11. organic molecules

12. organic materials

Real-World Examples

“The project is based at Hamatethy farm , which produces organic beef and pork but also runs rewilding schemes.”
The Guardian 14 Aug 2026
“The Arctic's frozen ground contains enormous stores of organic carbon.”
ScienceDaily 3 Aug 2026

Etymology

From Middle English organic, organik, from Old French organique, from Latin organicus.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

organic(B2)

Domains

AdvertisingAgricultureBiologyChemistryInternetMedicineMilitarySociology

This entry

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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Common
Level
B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
Updated

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English Reference