SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

non-

prefix \(ˈ)nän also ˌnən or ˈnən before ˈ-stressed syllable, ˌnän also ˌnən before ˌ-stressed or unstressed syllable; the variant with ə is also to be understood at pronounced entries, though not shown\

Definition of non-

1 : not : other than : reverse of : absence of nontoxic nonlinear
2 : of little or no consequence : unimportant : worthless nonissues nonsystem
3 : lacking the usual especially positive characteristics of the thing specified noncelebration nonart

See non- defined for English-language learners

See non- defined for kids

Origin and Etymology of non-

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin non not, from Old Latin noenum, from ne- not + oinom, neuter of oinos one — more at no, one

NON- Defined for English Language Learners

non-

prefix

Definition of non- for English Language Learners

: not

Medical Dictionary

non-

prefix

Medical Definition of non-

: not : reverse of : absence of nonallergic

Learn More about non-

Britannica English: Translation of non- for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up non-? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

advise

play

to counsel, recommend, or inform

BROWSE DICTIONARY

noms de plume

-nomy

non-

non-A, non-B hepatitis

nonabrasive

Test Your Vocabulary

The Emoji Quiz

What phase of the moon is this: 🌖 ?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59721dd897313

The 'Best' Way to Sign Off On An E-mail

Give them your best

Words and Phrases That Come from the Dinner Table

Fill your plate with these surprising food words

ghost-being-disinvited-from-party

'Disinvite' or 'Uninvite'?

A disinvited guest is an uninvited problem

alt-596f730ceb5ae

Words We're Watching: 'Scoby'

Kombucha lovers unite.

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

The Emoji Quiz

Think you’re an emoji 👓 expert? Let’s see 🤔

Take the quiz

A Game of Thrones Word Quiz

In the Game of Thrones quiz, you learn some new vocabulary. (It’s quite safe, really. You will not die.)

Take the quiz

True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

Take the quiz

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game