non-

American  

1. a prefix meaning “not,” freely used as an English formative, usually with a simple negative force as implying mere negation or absence of something (rather than the opposite or reverse of it, as often expressed byun- ): nonadherence; noninterference; nonpayment; nonprofessional .

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non- British  

prefix

1. indicating negation

   nonexistent

2. indicating refusal or failure

   noncooperation

3. indicating exclusion from a specified class of persons or things

   nonfiction

4. indicating lack or absence, esp of a quality associated with what is specified

   nonobjective

   nonevent

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Etymology

Origin of non-

A prefix representing the Latin adverb nōn “not”

Example Sentences

The 2026 inductees will be revealed in April, along with those receiving the Musical Influence Award, Musical Excellence Award and the Ahmet Ertegun Non Performer Award.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

But skating to a version of "Non, je ne regrette rien" Sakamoto lost points for not doing her planned triple combination jump.

From Barron's • Feb. 20, 2026

The show’s core characters, called “sensates,” are connected to each other emotionally even though they are physically separated — and their first true shared, collective experience comes via 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?”

From Salon • May 26, 2025

Non communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person and deaths attributed to these diseases are increasing in most countries.

From Science Daily • Apr. 25, 2024

Carved into the metal plate, barely legible, were the words Aut Visum Aut Non.

From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick