commercial

1 of 3

adjective

com·​mer·​cial kə-ˈmər-shəl 

1

a(1)

: occupied with or engaged in commerce or work intended for commerce

a commercial artist

(2)

: of or relating to commerce

commercial regulations

commercial services

(3)

: characteristic of commerce

commercial weights

(4)

: suitable, adequate, or prepared for commerce

found oil in commercial quantities

b(1)

: being of an average or inferior quality

commercial oxalic acid

show-quality versus commercial cattle

(2)

: producing artistic work of low standards for quick market success

2

a

: viewed with regard to profit

a commercial success

of no commercial value

b

: designed for a large market

commercial coffee production

3

: emphasizing skills and subjects useful in business

a commercial school

4

: supported by advertisers

commercial TV

commerciality

kə-ˌmər-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

commercially

kə-ˈmər-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

commercial

2 of 3

noun (1)

plural commercials

: an advertisement included with another broadcast (as on radio, television, or a podcast)

commerciality

3 of 3

noun (2)

com·​mer·​ci·​al·​i·​ty kə-ˌmər-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

ˌkä-ˌmər-ˈsha-

plural -es

: commercial quality

Synonyms of commercial

Adjective

• corporate

Examples of commercial in a Sentence

Adjective

Their music is too commercial.

The average American sees and hears thousands of commercial messages each day.

Noun (1)

a commercial for a new kind of soap

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Modular systems extend aircraft life A key part of the modernization is the use of commercial off-the-shelf technology. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Matchday revenues are also rising, along with commercial gains. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Noun

So my favorite moment was Ben Affleck, in his full Batsuit and cowl, holding my laptop and watching my funny little dog commercial. — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026

Here are key takeaways The victim was participating in but off camera during a campaign commercial for Fresno County Superior Court judge candidate Ashley Paulson when he was stabbed, law officials said in a Friday news conference. — Bob Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

see commerce entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun (1)

1935, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing commercial

• anti-commercial
• commercial announcement
• commercial bank
• commercial break
• commercial paper
• commercial traveler
• ultra-commercial

Rhymes for commercial

• inertial
• controversial
• noncommercial
• noncontroversial
• uncontroversial

Kids Definition

commercial

1 of 2 adjective

com·​mer·​cial kə-ˈmər-shəl 

1

: of or relating to commerce

2

: designed mainly for profit

especially : designed for mass appeal

the commercial theater

3

: paid for by advertisers

commercial TV

commercially

-ˈmərsh-(ə-)lē 

adverb

commercial

2 of 2 noun

: an advertisement broadcast on radio or television

Legal Definition

commercial

adjective

com·​mer·​cial

: of or relating to commerce

commercial regulations

commercially adverb