organic
Definitions
Grown or produced naturally, without artificial chemicals or pesticides
有机的；天然种植的（不用人工化学品或农药）
Relating to, or derived from, living organisms
有机的；源自生物体的
Developing naturally and gradually from within, rather than being forced
自然而然发展的；浑然天成的（非强加的）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedorgan (living body part) + -ic (relating to) = 'belonging to a living organism.' From there it spread: organic chemistry (the carbon chemistry of life), organic food (grown the natural way), and organic growth (developing naturally from within). All keep the core sense: of life, not artificial.
Root organ still carries 10 more wordsUsage Guide
Watch the register shift: in everyday talk organic = chemical-free food; in science it means carbon-based; in business/marketing 'organic' growth or reach means unpaid and natural (vs paid). Same word, three worlds — the context tells you which.
Example Sentences
- 1.
We buy organic vegetables from the local farm.
- 2.
Carbon is the basis of all organic compounds.
- 3.
The company achieved organic growth without any acquisitions.
Easily Confused
organic vs natural — overlapping but not identical. 'Organic' is a regulated label for food grown without synthetic chemicals; 'natural' is a vaguer, often unregulated marketing word. All organic food is natural, but 'natural' on a package guarantees much less.