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

The Orange County Superior Court has recommended nonessential personnel leave the courthouse in Westminster, which is outside the evacuation zone.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Memorial Day is a federal holiday, and all nonessential federal government offices are closed.

From MarketWatch • May 21, 2026

This is particularly problematic for consumer discretionary companies—those that sell nonessential goods ands services.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

High-energy particles from the Sun and deep space can also trigger computer errors that force spacecraft into "safe mode," temporarily shutting down nonessential systems until engineers resolve the issue.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2026

“And what’s more, I’m shutting down all nonessential flights until the present crisis is past.”

From "Artemis Fowl" by Eoin Colfer

Related Words

• unnecessary