nonworking

American  

[non-wur-king] / nɒnˈwɜr kɪŋ /

adjective

1. not employed for a salary, fees, or wages; not producing or generating income.

   Our employee medical plan also covers nonworking spouses.

2. not involved in or deriving from labor; not engaged in or directed toward work, especially as an employee.

   What are some of your nonworking activities?

3. not functioning or operating.

   a nonworking coffee grinder.

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nonworking British  

/ nɒnˈwɜːkɪŋ /

adjective

1. not engaged in payed employment

   nonworking mothers

2. (of machinery, technology, etc) not operating properly or effectively

   nonworking telephones

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Etymology

Origin of nonworking

First recorded in 1850–55; non- + working

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nonworking

To forestall this happening to younger women who are currently caregiving, she educates them about spousal IRAs, which allow nonworking spouses to save for retirement based on household income.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026

He paid an annual rent of “one peppercorn,” according to details of the lease, triggering questions from British lawmakers about why a nonworking royal appeared to be getting subsidized housing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 30, 2025

A change in the 2021 International Fire Code, for example, required that midsize construction sites employ a “fire watch” during nonworking hours.

From Slate ● Feb. 28, 2025

Employment contracts would have to clearly outline working and nonworking hours.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2024

Their nonworking lives completely revolved around the Net, trading MP3s, finding software, getting their hands on new games, trying out new operating systems.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz