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non-living

non-living

3.7
Not alive, for example stones, water, and machines
  • adjective
  • /nɑnˈlɪvɪŋ/
translation icon : inanimado
  • In the classroom, we examined non-living objects such as pencils and notebooks.

So the distinction that we make between living and non living is not principled.

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Examples

  • And it includes non living objects like light bulbs and taxi cabs and buildings because these are also populations.

  • So the distinction that we make between living and non living is not principled.

  • Yeah, it made more sense when they were like a non living thing, you know what I mean?

  • So what we are going to study now is a non living object and we are going to pick it to be a mathematical point.

  • Life is messing with the environment in ways that non living things are are doing.

  • Here she became sadly, a kind of back and forth living, non living on judicial decisions.

  • It is its own essence in a way that non living things aren't.

  • Water is classified as a non-living substance since it does not exhibit any characteristics of life.

  • Rocks and minerals are considered non-living entities in the ecosystem.

Synonyms

lifeless
vsnon-living
28 3.4

Not moving and showing no signs of people or animals

is the general definition for lacking life rather than a situational phrase
inanimate
vsnon-living
11 5.3

Not alive and cannot move or feel

is broader, meaning lack of life rather than only lacking movement or mind
unalive
vsnon-living
  • Slang
8.8

Not living any more, for example a person or animal

is the neutral general meaning, not an informal online euphemism

Antonyms

965 1.0

The experience of being alive

How Alive

vibrant
81 4.1
alive
1.0
non-living
3.7
inanimate
11 5.3

Surface Forms

non-living positive

Morphology

non-living = living (transparent) = non + living

The negative prefix 'non-' directly negates the adjective 'living', making the meaning easily derivable for learners.

Etymology

Non-living is made of non- meaning 'not', as in nonstop, and living from 'live' meaning 'alive', so it simply means 'not alive'.