Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

non-U

American  
[non-yoo] / nɒnˈju /

adjective

  1. not characteristic of or appropriate to the upper class, especially of Great Britain.

    certain words and phrases that are considered absolutely non-U.


non-U British  
/ nɒnˈjuː /

adjective

  1. (esp of language) not characteristic of or used by the upper class Compare U 1

"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-U

non- + U (adj.)

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.

The Canadian data also indicate the country logged its narrowest goods-trade surplus with the U.S. in five years in 2025, with producers shifting exports to non-U.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Per the Genius Act, the Treasury Department is to engage in more detailed rule making to establish a system for determining if a non-U.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

The top executives of the accounting firm are considering several back-up options, including selling off just the non-U.

From Reuters • Mar. 16, 2023

Then you look at the international platform for their non-U.

From New York Times • Dec. 1, 2022

On Jan. 31, the president announced that, effective Feb. 2, non-U.

From Washington Post • Aug. 26, 2020

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "non-U" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com