non
English meaning: Non
Definition
To no extent, in no way.
Example
“I felt none the worse for my recent illness.”
Another example: “His argument was a complete non sequitur.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Most often a prefix ('non-') meaning 'not', attached to nouns and adjectives ('non-profit', 'non-existent', 'non-smoker'). As a standalone Latin adverb ('non') it appears in fixed phrases ('persona non grata', 'non sequitur'). Neutral to formal register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'non' (not); used as a negating prefix in English since the Middle Ages.
Synonyms
- not
- un-
- in-
- negative
Related Words
Common Collocations
- non-profit
- non-existent
- non-stop
- non-fiction
- non-smoker
- persona non grata
Word Forms
non- (prefix)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B