non-

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-

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of non-¹

A prefix representing the Latin adverb nōn “not”

Word History and Origins

Origin of non-¹

from Latin nōn not

Example Sentences

Ignorantia juris non excusat, or ‘Ignorance of the law,’ is not a legal defense in the U.S. military.

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While the second sentence of this quote is generally true, the first sentence is a non sequitur.

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Oxfordshire County Council will expand its enhanced pathways provision into 40 state schools, providing a dedicate space and additional resource to support more young people with special needs, including non verbal children, in a mainstream setting.

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When US officials forced him to board a plane carrying more than 150 deportees heading to Managua, Nicaragua, he remembers being the only non–Latin American on the plane.

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Before all that happened, the group’s frontwoman, Linda Perry — who went on to establish a successful career as a songwriter and producer for stars like Pink and Christina Aguilera — got 4 Non Blondes back together for a handful of festival dates over the summer.

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