nonwhite

[ non-hwahyt, -wahyt ]

/ nɒnˈʰwaɪt, -ˈwaɪt /

noun

a sociocultural classification of modern humans with darker pigmentation of the skin than is characteristic in people of European descent.

a person who is not a member of the group in a society with lighter colored skin; a person of color.

adjective

not belonging to the societal group marked by slight pigmentation of the skin and European descent: the nonwhite peoples of Africa and Asia; Both immigration and births contributed to nonwhite population growth in the most recent census.

of or relating to nonwhite persons or peoples.

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Origin of nonwhite

First recorded in 1920–25; non- + white

usage note for nonwhite

Use of the word nonwhite to describe a population group has sometimes been criticized for implying in its very structure that “white” is the norm and anything else is a deviation from that norm. A more affirmative descriptive term, like person(s) of color , is often appropriate, as are other specific ethnic, cultural, or national designations. However, nonwhite is still in common use, especially in contexts where the focus is on statistical analyses of populations of European ancestry as distinguished from other populations.

Words nearby nonwhite

nonviscous, nonvital pulp, nonvolatile, nonvoter, nonvoting, nonwhite, nonwoody, nonword, nonworking, nonwoven, nonyl alcohol

Example sentences from the Web for non-white

Secondly, Republicans have to do better with non-white voters.
How Old People Will Decide Your Future|Stuart Stevens|October 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But for Ritfeld, who grew up as the only non-white kid in his town, the tradition has always provoked uncomfortable feelings.
Amsterdam’s Racist Black Pete Parade Under Fire|Cíntia Taylor|November 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Republicans are desperately seeking their non-white friends.
The Independent Rundown, November 8|Matthew DeLuca|November 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, his support also has sagged among Asians, Latinos, Native Americans, and all other non-white segments of the electorate.
Racism? No, Obama’s Own Incompetence Is Hurting His Campaign|Michael Medved|July 27, 2012|DAILY BEAST

In YA lit, non-white teens still tend to fight racism and violence more than cliques and phonies.
The End of the White Outsider|Ned Vizzini|July 25, 2011|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for non-white

non-White

noun

a person not of the Caucasoid or White race

usage for non-White

This word may well cause offence. If you need to refer to people's race it may be better to specify it or else to use a phrase such as 'a person from a minority ethnic group'

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