biological
gb/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl/ us/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl/
B1
English
~ 3700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
relating to living things
About living things like animals, plants, or humans.
Usage pattern:
[something] is biological
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'biological' with 'biologic', but 'biologic' is less common and often used in specific medical contexts.
Synonyms
organic (Often used in science to mean derived from living matter, but can also mean 'natural' in food contexts.)
Antonyms
non-biological (Describes something not related to living organisms.)
Collocations
biological processes
|biological systems
|biological research
|biological diversity
|biological function
Themes
science
|nature
|medicine
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Biological research has led to many medical breakthroughs.
- The immune system is a complex biological system.
- Her studies focus on the biological effects of climate change.
- Biological diversity is essential for a healthy ecosystem.
- DNA is the molecule that carries biological information.
Learner examples
- Trees and animals are biological things.
- The heart is a biological part of the body.
- Biological science studies plants and animals.
- We learned about biological changes in humans.
- Water is important for all biological life.
adjective
B1
property
2
related by blood
Being someone's family because you were born into it, not adopted or married in.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s biological [relation]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'biological' with 'genetic'; while related, 'genetic' refers more to DNA and heredity, not necessarily family relationships.
Synonyms
birth (Informal; refers to the relationship from birth rather than legal or emotional ties.)
Antonyms
adoptive (Refers to a parent or child connected through adoption, not by birth.)
Collocations
biological mother
|biological father
|biological child
|biological sibling
Themes
family
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He met his biological father for the first time last year.
- She has both biological and step-siblings.
- The records list her as the child's biological mother.
- They are biological brothers, but they grew up in different homes.
Learner examples
- She found her biological mother.
- He lives with his biological father.
- My biological sister is older than me.
- They met their biological parents after many years.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
using living organisms in processes or products
Using living things or parts of them to make something or do a job.
Usage pattern:
[something] is biological
Synonyms
biotechnological (More specific to technology that uses biology.)
Antonyms
synthetic (Made from non-living, artificial materials.)
Collocations
biological weapon
|biological control
|biological treatment
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The country has banned the use of biological weapons.
- Biological control methods can reduce pesticide use.
- Wastewater undergoes a biological treatment process.
Learner examples
- Biological weapons are dangerous.
- We use biological control to kill pests.
- The factory uses a biological process to clean water.
Grammar
Dictionary form
biological
IPA
GB/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl/
US/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
bio - lo - gic - al (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lo)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: biological
Word family
Related words
biotechnology
noun C1
biochemical
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
nonbiological
adjective
Advanced or less common
biologic
adjective
Expressions
biological clock
1/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl klˈɑk/
fixed phrase
internal timing system in organisms
The body's natural system that controls when you sleep, wake, or can have children.
Examples
- Jet lag happens when your biological clock is out of sync.
- Some people feel pressure from their biological clock to have children before a certain age.
biological warfare
1/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl wˈɔɹfˌɛɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
war using harmful organisms as weapons
Using bacteria, viruses, or other living things to hurt people in war.
Examples
- International law prohibits biological warfare.
- Biological warfare can cause widespread illness and death.
biological diversity
1/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl dɪvˈɚsɪti/
fixed phrase
variety of life forms in an area
The number of different plants and animals in a place.
Examples
- Rainforests have high biological diversity.
- Protecting biological diversity is important for the planet's health.
biological diversity
2/bˌaɪəlˈɑd͡ʒɪkəl dɪvˈɚsɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
variety of living things in nature
The different kinds of plants, animals, and other life in a place or on Earth.
Examples
- Protecting biological diversity is important for the planet's health.
- Biological diversity helps ecosystems recover from change.