non-organic

IPA/ˌnɒn.ɔːˈɡæn.ɪk/
IPA/ˌnɑːn.ɔːrˈɡæn.ɪk/

non-organic — adjective

1. produced with chemical sprays or fertilizers, or made from crops or animals rais

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

produced with chemical sprays or fertilizers, or made from crops or animals raised that way instead of under organic farming rules.

Example

Felipe chose cheaper non-organic apples for the school picnic.

non-organic + food item

The cafe stopped using non-organic milk in its iced coffee.

Common collocations
  • non-organic apples
  • non-organic milk
  • non-organic vegetables
  • non-organic chicken
  • non-organic produce
Synonyms
  • conventional

    common in farming talk; contrasts with organic methods rather than with artificial ingredients

  • regular

    informal shopping word; much less precise than non-organic

Antonyms
  • organic

    produced under organic farming rules

Grammar Patterns

non-organic + noun (apples, milk, vegetables, chicken)

be + non-organic

Usage Note

Most often used on food labels or in conversations about farming methods. It usually modifies foods, ingredients, or farm products rather than people or abstract ideas.

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

Non-organic is used mainly on food labels and in discussions of farming methods. It simply marks that a crop, ingredient, or animal product was not produced under organic rules. Organic is the direct opposite and often suggests stricter limits on synthetic chemicals. Conventional is close in meaning to non-organic, but it sounds more neutral and is common in farming or industry talk; shoppers are more likely to see non-organic on a package or shelf sign. Natural is broader and less exact: a natural sauce may still use non-organic tomatoes. Say non-organic apples when the farming method matters, but natural ingredients when you mean the ingredient itself is not artificial.

non-organic ↗organic ↗conventional ↗natural ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • non-organic food
  • non-organic produce
  • non-organic ingredients

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Formed in English from the negative prefix non- and organic. In modern food and farming English, it became a practical label for crops, meat, dairy, and other products that are not produced under organic standards. The meaning depends on contrast with certified organic production rather than on the older scientific senses of organic.