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

Synonyms of nonessential

• unnecessary

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

But some other embassies in the region did not make similar arrangements — leaving nonessential personnel and their families stranded in a war zone. —Byron Tau, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2026

About $4 million is expected to be saved through reducing building budgets, cutting nonessential travel, consolidating services and other ways to cut discretionary spending. —Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

All nonessential State of Michigan office buildings in the Upper Peninsula and much of the Northern Lower Peninsula are closed Monday because of the weather, state officials said Sunday. —Paula Wethington, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026

Level 3 advises travelers to reconsider nonessential travel, and Level 4 recommends avoiding travel altogether. —Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 11 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing nonessential

• nonessential amino acid

Rhymes for nonessential

• consequential
• deferential
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• referential

Kids 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