non-

American

a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather than the opposite or reverse of it, as often expressed byun- ): nonadherence; noninterference; nonpayment; nonprofessional .

non- British

prefix

indicating negation

nonexistent
indicating refusal or failure

noncooperation
indicating exclusion from a specified class of persons or things

nonfiction
indicating lack or absence, esp of a quality associated with what is specified

nonobjective
nonevent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of non-

A prefix representing the Latin adverb nōn “not”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Many of those owners, including the Ellison family, have separate, non news-related business interests that depend on government contracts or regulation and are therefore particularly vulnerable to pressure, he adds.

From BBC

Unlike Handsome, for example, who was relaxed in both musk ox and non–musk ox interactions, C.C. could never quite grasp what was expected.

From Literature

The Championship is the wealthiest non top-flight division in the world, with the second highest per-match attendance of any secondary league outside of Germany.

From Barron's

"If you get it from a non‑reputable source, the medication might not be what it says it is."

From BBC

"We are asking New Yorkers to avoid all non essential travel," the mayor said.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023