2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe something as a no-nonsense thing, you approve of the fact that it is plain and does not have unnecessary parts. [APPROVAL ] □ You'll need no-nonsense boots for the jungle.
no n-pa rtisan in AM, use nonpartisan ADJ A person or group that is non-partisan does not support or help a particular political party or group. □ …a non-partisan organization that does economic research for business and labor groups. □ …the president's Thanksgiving Day call for a non-partisan approach to the problem.
no n-pa yment also nonpayment N‑UNCOUNT Non-payment is a failure to pay a sum of money that you owe. □ [+ of ] She has received an eviction order from the council for non-payment of rent.
non|plussed /nɒ nplʌ st/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are nonplussed , you feel confused and unsure how to react. □ He is completely nonplussed by the question.
no n-pro fit also nonprofit ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-profit organization is one which is not run with the aim of making a profit. [BUSINESS ] □ Her center is a non-profit organization that cares for about 50 children.
no n-pro fit-making also nonprofit-making ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-profit-making organization or charity is not run with the intention of making a profit. [mainly BRIT , BUSINESS ] □ …the Film Theatre Foundation, a non-profit-making company which raises money for the arts.
no n-prolifera tion also nonproliferation N‑UNCOUNT [usu N n] Non-proliferation is the limiting of the production and spread of something such as nuclear or chemical weapons. □ …the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
no n-re sident (non-residents ) in AM, also use nonresident ADJ A non-resident person is someone who is visiting a particular place but who does not live or stay there permanently. □ 100,000 non-resident workers would be sent back to their home villages. ● N‑COUNT A non-resident is someone who is non-resident. □ Both hotels have gardens and restaurants open to non-residents.
non|sense /nɒ nsəns/
1 N‑UNCOUNT If you say that something spoken or written is nonsense , you mean that you consider it to be untrue or silly. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Most orthodox doctors however dismiss this as complete nonsense. □ …all that poetic nonsense about love. □ 'I'm putting on weight.'—'Nonsense my dear.'
2 N‑VAR [oft a N ] You can use nonsense to refer to something that you think is foolish or that you disapprove of. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Surely it is an economic nonsense to deplete the world of natural resources. □ I think there is a limit to how much of this nonsense people are going to put up with.
3 N‑UNCOUNT You can refer to spoken or written words that do not mean anything because they do not make sense as nonsense . □ …a children's nonsense poem by Charles E Carryl.
4 → see also no-nonsense
5 PHRASE To make a nonsense of something or to make nonsense of it means to make it seem ridiculous or pointless. □ The fighting made a nonsense of the peace pledges made last week.
non|sen|si|cal /nɒnse ns I k ə l/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you say that something is nonsensical , you think it is stupid, ridiculous, or untrue. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ It seemed to me that Sir Robert's arguments were nonsensical. □ There were no nonsensical promises about reviving the economy.
non se|qui|tur /nɒ n se kw I tə r / (non sequiturs ) N‑VAR A non sequitur is a statement, remark, or conclusion that does not follow naturally or logically from what has just been said. [FORMAL ] □ Had she missed something important, or was this just a non sequitur?
no n-smo ker (non-smokers ) also nonsmoker N‑COUNT A non-smoker is someone who does not smoke. □ Nobody will be allowed to smoke in an office if there are non-smokers present.
no n-smo king also nonsmoking
1 ADJ A non-smoking area in a public place is an area in which people are not allowed to smoke. □ More and more restaurants are providing non-smoking areas.
2 ADJ A non-smoking person is a person who does not smoke. □ The fertility of women who smoke is half that of non-smoking women.
no n-speci fic also nonspecific
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-specific medical conditions or symptoms have more than one possible cause. □ …non-specific headaches.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is non-specific is general rather than precise or exact. □ I intend to use these terms in a deliberately non-specific and all-embracing way.
no n-sta ndard also nonstandard ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-standard things are different from the usual version or type of that thing. □ The shop is completely out of non-standard sizes.
no n-sta rter (non-starters ) also nonstarter N‑COUNT If you describe a plan or idea as a non-starter , you mean that it has no chance of success. [INFORMAL ] □ The United States is certain to reject the proposal as a non-starter.
no n-sti ck also nonstick ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-stick saucepans, frying pans, or baking tins have a special coating on the inside which prevents food from sticking to them.
no n-sto p also nonstop ADJ Something that is non-stop continues without any pauses or interruptions. □ Many U.S. cities now have non-stop flights to Aspen. □ …80 minutes of non-stop music. □ The training was non-stop and continued for three days. ● ADV [ADV after v] Non-stop is also an adverb. □ Amy and her group had driven non-stop through Spain. □ [+ for ] The snow fell non-stop for 24 hours.
no n-u nion in AM, use nonunion ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-union workers do not belong to a trade union or labor union. A non-union company or organization does not employ workers who belong to a trade union or labor union. [BUSINESS ] □ The company originally intended to reopen the factory with non-union workers.