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

Another issue is that the nonbinary category is smaller and therefore less competitive, the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

Later that year while training, they ran shirtless through the streets of San Francisco as a nonbinary transmasculine athlete and felt more themself than ever, embracing “the in-between.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

A year after Sasha first posted their nonbinary gender petition, another petition went up on the We the People website.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater