nonreactive

adjective

non·​re·​ac·​tive ˌnän-rē-ˈak-tiv 

: not reactive: such as

a

: lacking a response or reaction to a stimulus

nonreactive pupils as a result of head trauma

b

: having no inductance or capacitance

—used of a circuit offering only ohmic resistance to a current

nonreactive circuits

c

: not exhibiting a positive reaction in a particular laboratory test

serum that is nonreactive on the first test

d

of cookware : not reacting chemically with acidic ingredients

a nonreactive bowl

Bring the liquids and the sugar to a boil in a nonreactive saucepan.

—Harvey Steiman

Stainless steel is used in cookware primarily for its easy care and nonreactive qualities; it's a notoriously poor conductor of heat.

—Melanie Barnard

Examples of nonreactive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Teflon’s nonstick, nonreactive characteristics hinge on its immensely strong carbon-fluorine bonds, but the ball mill can break these bonds apart by grinding them with the sodium metal. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 22 Oct. 2025

Place in single layer in nonreactive 9-by-13-inch baking pan. —Cathy Thomas, Oc Register, 18 Aug. 2025

Refrigerate, uncovered, until ready to use. Whisk together sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks in a large glass or other nonreactive mixing bowl until smooth. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Aug. 2025

Step 2 To a small nonreactive pot, add ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons of water and bring to a boil. —Adam and Toby Diltz, Saveur, 1 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1909, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nonreactive

• bioactive
• hyperactive
• interactive
• overactive
• psychoactive
• putrefactive
• retroactive
• unattractive
• unreactive
• vasoactive
• active
• tractive

Medical Definition

nonreactive

adjective

non·​re·​ac·​tive -rē-ˈak-tiv 

: not reactive

dilated nonreactive pupils

especially : not exhibiting a positive reaction in a particular laboratory test

the serum was nonreactive in the VDRL test