Skip to main content
nonhuman

nonhuman

8 4.5
Something that does not belong to people, for example an animal or machine
  • adjective
  • /nɒnˈhjuːmən/
translation icon : no humano
  • There is no provision for the recognition of nonhuman beings as subjects having legal rights.
  • nonhuman primate
  • nonhuman animals
  • nonhuman species

Examples

  • Also, for medical purposes, nonhuman animals are being used as living laboratories.

    Academic text (1999)
  • You will notice that much of the equipment is familiar though designed for nonhuman technicians.

  • Do you see anything nonhuman?

  • And we never harm anyone, human or nonhuman.

  • So not only does the difference between human and nonhuman disappear, but also the one between organic and inorganic.

    Academic text (1997)
  • We may conclude that a barrier between human and nonhuman animals is believed to be permeable, if it exists at all.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Much debate has centered on the concept of the rights of sentient nonhuman beings.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Something nonhuman, but intelligent.

  • Our findings suggest that wild nonhuman primates are susceptible to HPIV3 infection.

    Academic text (2013)
  • Many researchers are studying the behavior of nonhuman animals in their natural habitats.

Synonyms

inhuman
vsnonhuman
9 6.5

Not like a person in shape or sound

is about things not produced by or appropriate for human beings
unhuman
vsnonhuman
1 8.5

Not having feelings or kindness that people usually have

is about things not made by or fitting human beings

Antonyms

1.0

Relating to people rather than animals or machines

How Human

human
1.0
humanlike
2 4.2
nonhuman
8 4.5
inanimate
11 5.3

Surface Forms

nonhuman positive

Morphology

nonhuman = human (transparent) = non + human

The prefix 'non-' clearly negates the adjective 'human', making the meaning straightforward.

Etymology

Nonhuman is made of the prefix non-, meaning 'not', and human, meaning 'person'. Think of it like nonstop or nonfiction, where non- simply means 'not', so nonhuman describes something that is 'not human', such as animals, machines, or other things not made by people.