nonessential

Or non-es·sen·tial

[non-uh-sen-shuhl]

adjective

1. not essential; not necessary.

   Nonessential use of gasoline was forbidden during the war.

   Synonyms: extrinsic, incidental, unnecessary

noun

1. a nonessential thing or person.

nonessential

/ ˌnɒnɪˈsɛnʃəl /

adjective

1. not essential; not necessary

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

noun

1. a nonessential person or thing

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonessential¹

First recorded in 1745–55; non- + essential

Example Sentences

The federal government shut down for the first time in six years late Tuesday, requiring federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.

From Los Angeles Times

The first shutdown in six years went into effect late Tuesday and requires federal agencies to stop all nonessential work.

From Los Angeles Times

When the government shuts down, the law requires all nonessential government services to cease, requiring most federal workers to go on furlough or work without pay.

From Los Angeles Times

Almost 30 years ago, toward the end of President Clinton’s first term in office, Republicans in Congress forced a government shutdown that led some 800,000 nonessential federal workers to be furloughed.

From Los Angeles Times

The report says that in five of the last six years, women are spending a greater share of their earnings on nonessential goods like clothes, dining out or entertainment.

From Salon

Related Words

• unnecessary