# organic

/ɔɹˈɡænɪk/ (US) · /ɔːɡˈænɪk/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/organic
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. food/farming

adjective · CEFR B1

grown or produced without using artificial chemicals or pesticides.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. living things

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 3. natural growth

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. chemistry

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

relating to chemical compounds that contain carbon.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. internet search

adjective · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

### 6. organic food

noun · CEFR B2

food that is grown without artificial chemicals.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- I prefer to buy organic vegetables at the market.
- The farm transitioned to organic methods three years ago to meet the growing demand for chemical-free produce.
- While the label implies a healthier choice, the organic certification primarily regulates the synthetic inputs used during cultivation rather than the final nutritional density of the crop.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.