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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 .


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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of non-

A prefix representing the Latin adverb nōn “not”

Vocabulary lists containing non

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Whenever it was, legend has it St David's mother Non gave birth on a clifftop in Pembrokeshire during a fierce storm.

From BBC • Mar. 1, 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

In 1993, the San Francisco band 4 Non Blondes released the single “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

Each blazer has a badge with the initials MP, two swords making an X, and Non Nobis Solum.

From "Black Brother, Black Brother" by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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