inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-(ˌ)ȯr-ˈga-nik 

1

a(1)

: being or composed of matter other than plant or animal : mineral

(2)

: forming or belonging to the inanimate world

b

: of, relating to, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not usually classed as organic

2

: not arising from natural growth : artificial

also : lacking structure, character, or vitality

dull inorganic things, without individuality or prestige

—John Buchan

inorganically

ˌin-(ˌ)ȯr-ˈga-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of inorganic in a Sentence

producing energy from inorganic materials

Recent Examples on the Web

Many products have low levels of both inorganic and organic arsenic. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 26 Aug. 2024

Are all the dragon sounds organic and animal sounds, or are there inorganic or mechanical sounds in the mix? —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2024

Short-term exposure to inorganic arsenic can cause nausea, vomiting, bruising, and numbness or burning sensation in the hands and feet, the FDA says. —Jenny Porter Tilley, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Sep. 2024

This year, helped by a $500,000 grant from a Stanford Sustainability Accelerator fund, Davis added sensors tracing the movement of different kinds of carbon—organic material as well as inorganic carbon molecules such as CO2 and bicarbonate. —Bywarren Cornwall, science.org, 29 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1729, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing inorganic

• inorganic chemistry

Kids Definition

inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-ˌȯr-ˈgan-ik 

1

: being or composed of matter that does not come from plants or animals either alive or dead : mineral

2

: of or relating to a branch of chemistry concerned with substances that contain little or no carbon

inorganically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

inorganic

adjective

in·​or·​gan·​ic ˌin-ˌȯr-ˈgan-ik 

1

a

: being or composed of matter other than plant or animal

an inorganic heart

b

: forming or belonging to the inanimate world

2

: of, relating to, or dealt with by a branch of chemistry concerned with substances not usually classified as organic

inorganically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb