nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen(t)-shəl 
1
: not essential
2
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity to satisfy dietary needs
nonessential fatty acids
see also nonessential amino acid compare essential sense 2b
nonessential
noun
Synonyms
Examples of nonessential in a Sentence
All nonessential personnel had to be laid off.
Please avoid all nonessential uses of water.
Recent Examples on the Web
Making small talk, waffling about nonessential details, and going over things that have already been covered are a few of the terrible uses of time spent having one-to-one or group calls.
—
Jodie Cook, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
All nonessential tools and on both spacecraft are also offline by now, including a few heaters.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2024
Arkansas taxes diapers at 6.5%, classifying diapers as nonessential or a luxury, Phillips said.
—Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 27 Sep. 2024
Avoid using fire pits or fireplaces for nonessential home heating.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonessential 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jodie Cook, Forbes, 16 Oct. 2024
All nonessential tools and on both spacecraft are also offline by now, including a few heaters.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2024
Arkansas taxes diapers at 6.5%, classifying diapers as nonessential or a luxury, Phillips said.
—Al Gaspeny, arkansasonline.com, 27 Sep. 2024
Avoid using fire pits or fireplaces for nonessential home heating.
—Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for nonessential
Dictionary Entries Near nonessential
Cite this Entry
“Nonessential.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonessential. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
ˌnän-i-ˈsen-chəl
: not necessary or essential
nonessential
noun
Medical Definition
nonessential
adjective
non·es·sen·tial
-i-ˈsen-chəl
: being a substance synthesized by the body in sufficient quantity for normal health and growth
a nonessential fatty acid
compare essential
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share