nonbinary

American  

[non-bahy-nuh-ree, ‐nur-ee] / nɒnˈbaɪ nə ri, ‐nɜr i /

Or non-binary

adjective

1. not consisting of, indicating, or involving two.

2. Mathematics. noting or relating to a system of numerical notation that does not have a base of 2.

   The decimal system is nonbinary.

3. noting or relating to a gender identity that does not fit into the binary male/female division. NB

4. relating to, intended for, or common to any gender; gender-neutral; gender-inclusive: The designer is known for nonbinary fashion.

   The website had lists of nonbinary pronouns and honorifics.

   The designer is known for nonbinary fashion.

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Etymology

Origin of nonbinary

First recorded in 1940–45; non- ( def. ) + binary ( def. )

Example Sentences

Drag was an important part of Ortiz’s approach to playing Jim Jimenez, the boundary breaking nonbinary pirate heartthrob on HBO’s cult show “Our Flag Means Death.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

In 2020, Newsom signed into law Senate Bill 132, which gives transgender, nonbinary and intersex inmates at state prisons the right to be housed at either men’s or women’s facilities.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

County booking information for that arrest identified Simmons as nonbinary.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2026

Marathon’s nonbinary division that year, clocking in at 2:53:02 — one of myriad victories in his career.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

The fact that both of them identified as nonbinary wasn’t the reason they were together, it was just another thing they had in common.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater