noncommercialism
|non-com-mer-cial-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑn.kəˈmɝ.ʃə.lɪ.zəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒn.kəˈmɜː.ʃə.lɪ.zəm/
opposition to commercial activity
Etymology
'noncommercialism' originates from English, specifically formed from the prefix 'non-' + the adjective 'commercial' + the suffix '-ism', where 'non-' meant 'not', 'commercial' derives from Latin 'commercium' meaning 'trade', and '-ism' denotes 'doctrine or practice'.
'commercial' came into English via Old French and Medieval Latin from Latin 'commercium' ('trade'); the prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non'/'ne' used in English formation) was attached to form 'non-commercial' in modern English, and the noun-forming suffix '-ism' (from Greek '-ismos' via Latin and French) produced 'noncommercialism' by the 19th–20th century in contexts critiquing commercialization.
Initially, components like 'commercial' referred simply to 'trade' or 'business'; over time the compound 'noncommercialism' came to mean not just 'not commercial' but an organized doctrine or stance opposing commercialization and profit-driven practices.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the doctrine or ideology opposing commercialization; a stance against conducting activities primarily for profit.
Her noncommercialism led her to support grassroots, donation-funded media outlets.
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Noun 2
the quality or practice of being noncommercial; not intended for or directed toward profit (e.g., activities, events, or organizations that do not operate for commercial gain).
The festival's noncommercialism meant there were no corporate sponsors and all proceeds went to charity.
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Last updated: 2025/10/21 23:48