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

Since Christmas Day is a federal holiday, all nonessential federal government offices are closed on Dec. 25.

From MarketWatch

San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and the city Department of Emergency Management on Saturday urged residents to avoid nonessential travel and take extra caution on the darkened roads.

From Los Angeles Times

Investors have closely tracked volumes at Medtronic and its peers since the pandemic, which led to delays in many nonessential surgeries.

From Barron's

Given the forecast, officials urged residents to avoid nonessential travel, and warned those who must go out to never attempt to drive through a flooded roadway.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• unnecessary