nonessential

adjective

non·​es·​sen·​tial ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl How to pronounce nonessential (audio)
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Making small talk, waffling about nonessential details, and going over things that have already been covered are a few of the terrible uses of time spent having one-to-one or group calls. Jodie Cook, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024 All nonessential tools and on both spacecraft are also offline by now, including a few heaters. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2024 Arkansas taxes diapers at 6.5%, classifying diapers as nonessential or a luxury, Phillips said. Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 27 Sep. 2024 Avoid using fire pits or fireplaces for nonessential home heating. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 20 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for nonessential 

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonessential was in 1751

Dictionary Entries Near nonessential

Cite this Entry

“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

nonessential

adjective
non·​es·​sen·​tial ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl How to pronounce nonessential (audio)
: not necessary or essential
nonessential noun

Medical Definition

nonessential

adjective
non·​es·​sen·​tial -i-ˈsen-chəl How to pronounce nonessential (audio)
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential

More from Merriam-Webster on nonessential

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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