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

Earlier on Friday, officials announced that all schools and nonessential activities, including nightclubs, were to close until Monday.

From BBC

Everyone has become familiar with the pop-up when you visit a site, asking you to "accept all" or reject nonessential cookies.

From BBC

We were one year into a global pandemic, and the nonessential among us were grateful for our health but sick of our surroundings.

From Los Angeles Times

She criticized Smith for creating a speaking indictment, i.e., an overly descriptive charging document, that included “various nonessential allegations more akin to a narrative about the government’s theory of prosecution.”

From Slate

We were one year into a global pandemic, and the nonessential among us were grateful for our health but sick of our surroundings.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• unnecessary