nonwhite

American  

[non-wahyt, -hwahyt] / nɒnˈwaɪt, -ˈʰwaɪt /

adjective

1. of or relating to a person or people who are not members of the sociocultural classification marked by slight pigmentation of the skin and associated with European descent.

   Both immigration and births contributed to nonwhite population growth in the most recent census.

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noun

1. a person who is not a member of the sociocultural classification marked by slight pigmentation of the skin and associated with European descent; a person of color.

Sensitive Note

Use of the word nonwhite to describe a population group has sometimes been criticized for implying in its very structure that “white” is the norm and anything else is a deviation from that norm. A more affirmative descriptive term, like person(s) of color, is often appropriate, as are other specific ethnic, cultural, or national designations. However, nonwhite is still in common use, especially in contexts where the focus is on statistical analyses of populations of European ancestry as distinguished from other populations. It is generally more acceptable as an adjective (strategies to get nonwhite voters to the polls) than as a noun (a candidate favored by nonwhites; the candidate who is a nonwhite ).

Etymology

Origin of nonwhite

First recorded in 1920–25; non- + white

Example Sentences

Many people in the key groups with which he made crucial inroads in the last election – such as young men and nonwhite voters – have turned from him.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2026

Among the most enduring of these is the drag-queen competition show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” whose early seasons were part of a decade that saw television becoming more inclusive with queer and/or nonwhite people.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

The 14th and 15th Amendments were ratified to establish an enduring multiracial democracy, explicitly empowering Congress to end the subjugation of nonwhite Americans.

From Slate • Oct. 15, 2025

A new Pew analysis out this week found that about 20% of the Republican base is now nonwhite, nearly doubling what it was in 2016.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2025

Rare women and men, always well known to nonwhite students needing help.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez