Definition

1. Adverb:
   • In a way that relates to or is produced by living organisms: Describes processes, substances, or growth that is natural and involves living things or their products.
   • In a way that relates to the fundamental structure or development of something: Describes a process that develops naturally and coherently from within, rather than being forced or artificial.
   • In chemistry, involving carbon compounds: Describes substances or bonds that contain carbon, especially in relation to living matter.

Usage Examples

• Relating to living organisms or natural growth:
  • This food is grown organically without synthetic pesticides.
  • The farm raises chickens organically, allowing them to roam freely.
• Relating to fundamental, natural development:
  • The plot of the novel developed organically from the characters' motivations.
  • The team's strategy evolved organically during the project.
• Involving carbon compounds (Chemistry):
  • The mineral contains organically bound iodine.
  • Scientists study how carbon is organically stored in soil.

Advanced Usage

• "To grow organically": To develop or expand naturally and gradually from internal forces, often used in business or social contexts.
  • The company's user base grew organically through word-of-mouth, not advertising.
• "To function organically": To work together as a unified, natural whole where all parts are interconnected.
  • In a healthy ecosystem, all species function organically.

Variants and Related Words

• Organic (adj):
  • Relating to or derived from living matter. Example: organic vegetables.
  • Characterized by continuous or natural development. Example: an organic community.
  • In chemistry, relating to compounds containing carbon. Example: organic chemistry.
• Organism (n): An individual living system, such as a plant, animal, or bacterium.

Synonyms

• Naturally: In a natural manner.
• Holistically: In a way that emphasizes the whole and the interdependence of its parts.
• Intrinsically: In an essential or natural way.

Antonyms

• Artificially: In a way that is made or produced by human beings, often imitating something natural.
• Inorganically: In a way that does not involve living organisms or carbon compounds (in chemistry).
• Mechanically: In a rigid, automatic, or forced manner.

Related Phrases

• Organically grown: A label for food produced without synthetic chemicals.
  • Consumers prefer organically grown produce.
• Organically integrated: Combined in a natural and seamless way.
  • The new feature was organically integrated into the software's design.

Adverb

1. in an organic manner
   • this food is grown organically
2. involving carbon compounds
   • organically bound iodine
3. as an important constituent
   • the drapery served organically to cover the Madonna