georgic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Literary, Academic
Quick answer
What does “georgic” mean?
A poem or work on the subject of agriculture or rural life.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A poem or work on the subject of agriculture or rural life.
Relating to or concerned with agriculture, farming, or country life.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally rare and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Classical education, literary tradition, 18th-century poetry (especially associated with Virgil's 'Georgics').
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Might be encountered in university literature courses or specialist historical/agricultural texts.
Grammar
How to Use “georgic” in a Sentence
N (poem) about N (agriculture/rural life)ADJ pertaining to N (agriculture/farming)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “georgic” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No verb form in use]
American English
- [No verb form in use]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form in use]
American English
- [No adverb form in use]
adjective
British English
- The poet's georgic interests were evident in his detailed descriptions of hedgerows.
American English
- The collection's georgic sensibility celebrates the rhythms of farm life.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, classical studies, and agricultural history to describe a poetic genre or agricultural themes.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Rarely used in historical agricultural contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “georgic”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “georgic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “georgic”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'agricultural'.
- Confusing it with 'georgic' as a noun for a person (the correct term is 'georgic poet' or 'farmer').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, literary term used almost exclusively in academic discussions of poetry and agricultural history.
Yes, but it is very rare. As an adjective, it means 'relating to agriculture or rural life,' but 'agricultural' or 'pastoral' are far more common choices.
The 'Georgics' by the Roman poet Virgil, written between 29 and 19 BC, is the defining work of the genre.
A pastoral (or eclogue) typically idealises the simplicity and leisure of shepherd life. A georgic is more practical and didactic, focusing on the labour and techniques of farming.
A poem or work on the subject of agriculture or rural life.
Georgic is usually literary, academic in register.
Georgic: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɔː.dʒɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɔːr.dʒɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this word]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'GEORGE + IC'. Imagine a farmer named George writing an epic (IC) poem about his fields.
Conceptual Metaphor
POETRY IS CULTIVATION (the poem cultivates understanding as a farmer cultivates land).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'georgic'?