uncommercial
|un-com-mer-cial|
🇺🇸
/ˌʌnkəˈmɜrʃəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌʌnkəˈmɜːʃəl/
not intended for trade/profit
Etymology
'uncommercial' is formed in English by the negative prefix 'un-' added to 'commercial', where 'commercial' ultimately derives from Latin 'commercium' (commerce/trade) via Old French.
'commercial' comes from Latin 'commercium' -> Old French 'commerce'/'commercial' -> Middle English 'commercial'; the negative prefix 'un-' was later attached in English to form 'uncommercial'.
Originally 'commercial' meant 'relating to trade or commerce'; 'uncommercial' therefore originally meant 'not relating to trade', and it has retained that basic negative sense of 'not intended for commerce' (including 'not profit‑seeking').
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not commercial; not intended for or involving commerce or profit; not designed to make money.
The short film was deliberately uncommercial, focusing on artistic expression rather than box-office appeal.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/21 23:26