What does ontic mean?
Ontic is an adjective meaning relating to existence, being, or reality. It is especially used in philosophy and metaphysics, where it describes questions about what exists, the nature of entities, and the conditions under which reality is intelligible. Its best-known contrast is with epistemic: ontic concerns existence and reality, while epistemic concerns knowledge, belief, justification, and the reliability of our claims. In ordinary conversation, the word is uncommon and sounds deliberately abstract or academic, so using it for something simply “real” can sound overly elaborate. It is nevertheless useful when precision matters, because it signals that a discussion is about the nature of being rather than about how something can be known. The term is often used in expressions such as ontic reality, ontic questions, and ontic status.
adjectiveRelating to being or existence, especially to what exists or to the fundamental nature of reality. In philosophy, it contrasts with the epistemic, which concerns knowledge and the grounds for belief.
- Relating to being, existence, or reality.
- In metaphysics, concerning entities and the conditions or principles of their existence.
"The philosopher examined the ontic question of what it means for a person to exist."
"The study offers an ontic account of what makes a successful life."
"The distinction between ontic claims and epistemic claims is central to the discussion."
If epistemology asks how we know, ontology asks what there is to know about existence itself.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ontic come from?
The word comes from Greek ont-, meaning “being” or “existence,” as represented in the related forms on and ontos. It entered English through the vocabulary of philosophy, alongside cognate and related terms such as ontology and ontogenesis. Its philosophical use developed from the Greek noun on, “being,” and the related stem onta, “things that exist.”
Related word forms
How ontic is actually used
This is chiefly a philosophical and technical term. It is most natural in academic writing and should generally not be used as a simple synonym for “real” in informal contexts.
Easily confused with ontic
Ontic concerns what exists and the nature of reality, whereas epistemic concerns knowledge, justification, and belief.
Ontic is a broad adjective relating to existence or reality, while ontological more specifically concerns the nature, structure, or principles of being.