nonrestrictive
Americanadjective
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not restrictive or limiting.
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Grammar. descriptive of a modified element rather than limiting of the element's meaning.
a nonrestrictive modifier.
adjective
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not restrictive or limiting
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grammar denoting a relative clause that is not restrictive Compare restrictive
Etymology
Origin of nonrestrictive
First recorded in 1920–25; non- + restrictive
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.
A spokesman for Mr. Pence cited nine such states as exceptionally nonrestrictive.
From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2023
Instead, UC will judge those affiliations acceptable as long as patients can be transferred or referred to other nonrestrictive facilities.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 18, 2021
The nonrestrictive dynamic that defines the troop separates it from the two-dozen Cub, Boy and Girl scouts in town.
From Washington Times • Mar. 6, 2015
A nonrestrictive relative clause is set off by commas, dashes or parentheses, as in "The pair of shoes, which cost five thousand dollars, was hideous."
From The Guardian • Aug. 15, 2014
A nonrestrictive relative clause is set offby commas, dashes, or parentheses, and expresses a comment from the peanut gallery, as in The pair of shoes, which cost five thousand dollars, was hideous.
From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
