nonessential

American  

[non-uh-sen-shuhl] / ˌnɒn əˈsɛn ʃəl /

Or non-essential

adjective

1. not essential; not necessary.

   Nonessential use of gasoline was forbidden during the war.

   Synonyms:

   extrinsic, incidental, unnecessary

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noun

1. a nonessential thing or person.

nonessential British  

/ ˌnɒnɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. not essential; not necessary

2. biochem (of an amino acid in a particular organism) able to be synthesized from other substances

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noun

1. a nonessential person or thing

Etymology

Origin of nonessential

First recorded in 1745–55; non- + essential

Example Sentences

Beauty and personal care, a $68 billion industry, has been a relative bright spot as pressure mounts on food and nonessentials spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since Presidents Day is a federal holiday, all nonessential federal government offices are closed.

From MarketWatch

Because of the severe weather, all nonessential emergency personnel have been sent home until such time that the weather allows them to return.

From Literature

Utilities in the Midwest on Saturday directed customers to lower thermostats, unplug “nonessential appliances,” and reduce temperature settings on electric water heaters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Could you go a full month without making a single nonessential purchase?

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• unnecessary