nonstick

American

[non-stik] / ˈnɒnˌstɪk /

adjective

having or providing a finish designed to prevent food from sticking during cooking or baking.

a nonstick saucepan; a nonstick cooking spray.

nonstick British

/ ˈnɒnˈstɪk /

adjective

(of saucepans, frying pans, etc) coated with a substance such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that prevents food sticking to them

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of nonstick

First recorded in 1955–60; non- + stick ²

Vocabulary lists containing nonstick

Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: non-

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The nonstick pan that’s shedding black flecks into your eggs?

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2026

After a several rounds of cooking with oil, carbon steel develops a naturally nonstick patina, similar to the slick surface of a well-seasoned cast iron pan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 24, 2025

In her recipe for classic Gulab Jamun, Selvaraju starts with whole milk, ghee and milk powder, which are mixed and combined in a heated nonstick pan to create a thick paste.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2025

Gov. Gavin Newsom votoes bill to phase out a range of popular consumer products, including nonstick pots and pans, that contain synthetic chemicals with links to cancer.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2025

Preheat the oven to 275°F. Line two cookie sheets with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023