nonmetal

American  

[non-met-l] / nɒnˈmɛt l /

noun

Chemistry.

1. an element not having the character of a metal, as carbon or nitrogen.

2. an element incapable of forming simple positive ions in solution.

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nonmetal British  

/ nɒnˈmɛtəl /

noun

1. any of a number of chemical elements that form negative ions, have acidic oxides, and are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity

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Etymology

Origin of nonmetal

First recorded in 1865–70; non- + metal

Explanation

In chemistry, an element that isn't shiny and isn't a good conductor of heat or electricity is a nonmetal. Hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen are all nonmetals. Most elements are classified as metal: they're lustrous and dense, and you have to get them extremely hot to melt them. The 23 nonmetal elements are mainly gases, like helium and nitrogen, though bromine is a nonmetal liquid and several, like sulfur, are solids. Nonmetal, "not metal," was first used in the 1860s.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nonmetal

Attendees are encouraged to bring empty, nonmetal water bottles that they can refill for free at water stations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2025

While teammates pushed hard on their headphones to hear their nonmetal music, Murphy was playing air guitar and drums in between sets of lifts, nodding his head and attacking his workout.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 3, 2023

With the exception of nitrogen and carbon, which are poor oxidizing agents, a more electronegative nonmetal oxidizes a less electronegative nonmetal or the anion of the nonmetal:

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Note the background color denotes whether an element is a metal, metalloid, or nonmetal, whereas the element symbol color indicates whether it is a solid, liquid, or gas.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

When atoms of nonmetal elements form ions, they generally gain enough electrons to give them the same number of electrons as an atom of the next noble gas in the periodic table.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019