nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl 
1
: not essential
2
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary needs
nonessential fatty acids
see also nonessential amino acid compare essential sense 2b
nonessential
noun
Examples of nonessential in a Sentence
All nonessential personnel had to be laid off.
Please avoid all nonessential uses of water.
Recent Examples on the Web
That bill is accompanied by separate resolutions to call on state lawmakers to establish a noise tax and prohibit certain flight operations, and to call on the FAA to ban all nonessential helicopter travel.
—
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Fillers Watch out for fillers — ideally, the supplement shouldn’t contain any artificial colors, fillers or nonessential ingredients.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
On a countrywide scale—from both an epidemiological perspective and a human-rights perspective—closing all nonessential business, closing all schools, prohibiting most social interactions and nonessential travel, and so on, was not considered feasible or wise.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Image The city authorities in Beijing advised residents to avoid nonessential travel, and postponed soccer matches that had been scheduled for the weekend.
—John Yoon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 24 Apr. 2025
Fillers Watch out for fillers — ideally, the supplement shouldn’t contain any artificial colors, fillers or nonessential ingredients.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
On a countrywide scale—from both an epidemiological perspective and a human-rights perspective—closing all nonessential business, closing all schools, prohibiting most social interactions and nonessential travel, and so on, was not considered feasible or wise.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Image The city authorities in Beijing advised residents to avoid nonessential travel, and postponed soccer matches that had been scheduled for the weekend.
—John Yoon, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonessential
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl
: not necessary or essential
nonessential
noun
Medical Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
-i-ˈsen-chəl
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share