Organic Means Three Different Things
Organic describes living things, carbon chemistry, and a regulated farming standard. The three senses cause endless confusion in shops.
Organic has three distinct careers. In biology it means relating to living organisms; in chemistry it means containing carbon, which is why petrol is an organic compound; and on a food label it means produced to a legal standard that limits synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. A fourth, looser sense means developing naturally, as in organic growth.
- Relating to living organisms. *Organic matter in the soil.*
- Containing carbon (chemistry). *Organic compounds.*
- Farmed to a certified standard. *Organic milk.*
- Developing naturally. *Organic growth.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Adjective | organic | Organic waste. |
| Adverb | organically | Grown organically. |
| Noun | organism | A single organism. |
| Noun | organics | Organic chemistry. |
| Opposite | inorganic | Inorganic salts. |
How it is used in a sentence
- Add organic matter to improve the soil.Gardening: decayed plant and animal material.
- Benzene is an organic compound.Chemistry: carbon-based.
- The farm has organic certification.A regulated claim, subject to inspection.
What organic certification usually covers
- Synthetic pesticides — heavily restricted
- Artificial fertilisers — not permitted
- Animal welfare — higher minimum standards
- Conversion period — land must be farmed organically for years before certification
- Inspection — annual audits by an approved body
From Latin *organicus*, from Greek *organikos*, relating to an instrument or organ, from *organon*, a tool. The chemical sense came from the belief that carbon compounds could only be made by living things — an idea disproved in 1828.
Does organic mean pesticide-free?
No. Certain naturally derived pesticides are permitted. It means synthetic pesticides are largely prohibited.
Why is petrol organic?
Because in chemistry organic means carbon-based. The word says nothing about being alive or about farming.