non sequitur

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noun non se·qui·tur \ˌnän-ˈse-kwə-tər also -ˌtu̇r\

Definition of non sequitur

1 : an inference (see inference 2) that does not follow from the premises (see ¹premise 1); specifically : a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative (see ¹affirmative 3) proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent (see ¹consequent 1)
2 : a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said We were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some non sequitur about her dog.

See non sequitur defined for English-language learners

non sequitur was our Word of the Day on 11/21/2008. Hear the podcast!

Examples of non sequitur in a Sentence

We were talking about the new restaurant when she threw in some non sequitur about her dog.

Did You Know?

In Latin, non sequitur means "it does not follow." The phrase was borrowed into English in the 1500s by people who made a formal study of logic. For them it meant a conclusion that does not follow from the statements that lead to it. But we now use non sequitur for any kind of statement that seems to come out of the blue. The Latin verb sequi ("to follow") has actually led the way for a number of English words. A sequel follows the original novel, film, or television show. Someone obsequious follows another about, flattering and fawning. And an action is often followed by its consequence.