non-commercial
/ˌnɒn.kəˈmɜː.ʃəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn.kəˈmɝː.ʃəl/ (ame, ipa)
non-commercial — adjective
1. designed for use, sharing, or service rather than for making money through sales
designed for use, sharing, or service rather than for making money through sales or business deals.
The museum lets teachers download non-commercial lesson packs for free.
non-commercial + noun for free educational use
Kemi runs a non-commercial seed exchange in her apartment building.
Our club uses the hall for non-commercial events like book swaps.
The licence allows non-commercial use of the photos on school websites.
Adina built the app as a non-commercial project for local nurses.
- nonprofit
often used for organizations rather than for every kind of use, licence, or event
- not-for-profit
closer to the legal or organizational structure of a group
- public-service
suggests serving the public, often with a social mission, rather than business aims
- commercial
the direct opposite, describing business activity or money-making use
- for-profit
used especially for organizations or services set up to earn money
文法句型
non-commercial + noun
be non-commercial
for non-commercial use
用法筆記
Usually used with nouns like use, project, event, group, or licence. It describes purpose or legal status, not simply something being cheap or free.
常見錯誤
2. made for artistic, personal, or serious interest instead of trying to attract th
made for artistic, personal, or serious interest instead of trying to attract the widest audience and big sales.
The gallery screened a non-commercial film about fishermen on a small island.
non-commercial + film for art-house work
Elena prefers non-commercial music labels that let singers take creative risks.
The novel stayed proudly non-commercial, even after three prize nominations.
Sirin's photo book is non-commercial and aimed at a tiny poetry audience.
At the festival, critics praised the play's non-commercial style and quiet ending.
- art-house
mainly used for films and cinemas, with a stronger focus on serious artistic taste
- independent
can overlap, but often points to how the work was financed rather than to audience size
- niche
emphasizes a small audience more than artistic purpose
- commercial
aimed at broad sales and mass appeal
- mainstream
focused on a wide audience rather than a specialised artistic one
文法句型
non-commercial + noun
be non-commercial
用法筆記
Most often used about books, films, music, theatre, or similar creative work. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense focuses on artistic aim and limited mass appeal, not on licences or organizational purpose.
常見錯誤
3. funded without advertising, especially in radio or television services.
funded without advertising, especially in radio or television services.
The station survives on donations because it is non-commercial radio.
non-commercial radio funded by donations
Min grew up watching non-commercial television from the public broadcaster.
The new children's channel will remain non-commercial for its first five years.
Families trust the service more because non-commercial TV has no adverts during cartoons.
Mauricio donated money to keep the local non-commercial station on air.
- ad-free
focuses on the absence of adverts, but can also describe a paid service rather than a broadcaster
- public-service
often overlaps when a broadcaster serves the public interest instead of advertisers
- publicly funded
names the money source more directly, while 'non-commercial' contrasts with advertiser support
- commercial
supported by advertising and run within the normal broadcast market
- advertiser-funded
states directly that adverts pay for the service
文法句型
non-commercial radio
non-commercial television
be non-commercial
用法筆記
Usually describes radio, television, stations, or channels. Distinguish from sense 1: here the key idea is that advertising is not the source of funding.