🧪 A chemical element 🚫 Not like metal

nonmetal

5.2

Made from a material that is not a metal

adjective
/ˌnɒnˈmɛtəl/

: no metálico

The nonmetal elements are essential for life.

Examples

Plastic is a common nonmetal alternative in electrical insulation.
These pipes are coated with a nonmetal finish for added safety.
The container is made from nonmetal materials to prevent rust.
Hydrogen is considered a nonmetal despite being a gas.
The recipe calls for mixing the ingredients in a nonmetal bowl to avoid any chemical reactions.
Most plastics are made from nonmetal materials that do not conduct electricity.
To ensure safety, do not use nonmetal utensils for high-heat cooking.

Synonyms

nonmetallic

vsnonmetal

1 5.2

Not made of metal, not shiny, and does not carry electricity well

names the material itself rather than modifying other words

Antonyms

metallic

85 4.3

Having the look or sound of a hard, shiny material used for coins

How Metallic

metallic

85 4.3

metalloid

Specialized

7.9

nonmetal

5.2

Surface Forms

nonmetal positive

Morphology

nonmetal = metal (transparent) = non + metal

The negative prefix 'non-' is productively attached to 'metal', producing a straightforward opposite meaning.

Etymology

Nonmetal comes from the prefix non- meaning 'not' and the familiar word metal, so it means 'not a metal'. So, a nonmetal material does not have the usual metal qualities like a shiny surface, being easy to bend, or carrying electricity.