nonorganic
nonorganic Lexical Profile
nonorganic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Produced or involving production with the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or other artificial agents.
"The grocery store stocks both organic produce and less expensive nonorganic alternatives."
Not relating to or derived from living organisms or biological matter.
"The recycling facility separates biodegradable kitchen waste from nonorganic materials such as glass and metal."
Not caused by a detectable physical or structural abnormality in a bodily organ or tissue (used of a medical or psychiatric condition).
"After thorough testing ruled out physical damage, the physician diagnosed the patient with nonorganic hearing loss."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'inorganic' is the standard scientific term in chemistry and geology for non-living or mineral matter, 'nonorganic' is preferred in agriculture to describe food grown with synthetic chemicals, and in medicine for conditions without a physical cause.