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Glite Dictionary
nonprescription

nonprescription

3.8
A medicine you can buy without seeing a doctor
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒnprɪˈskrɪpʃən/
translation icon : sin receta
  • The pharmacist recommended a nonprescription allergy medication.

Examples

  • You can buy nonprescription medications at any pharmacy.

  • Many nonprescription remedies are effective for mild headaches.

  • This medication is available as a nonprescription drug at most pharmacies.

  • Many nonprescription drugs are effective for mild pain relief.

  • You can buy nonprescription medications at any pharmacy without needing a doctor's approval.

  • She prefers using nonprescription allergy tablets instead of getting a prescription from her doctor.

  • In the health store, many nonprescription remedies are available for common colds and headaches.

Synonyms

over-the-counter
vsnonprescription
22 3.2

Medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

is the general adjective that applies to both drugs and other products
over the counter
vsnonprescription
  • Specialized
11 2.7

Medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

is used more broadly for drugs or products rather than only medicines
over-the-counter drug
vsnonprescription
4 2.8

A medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

is broader and covers products beyond drugs as well
over-the-counter medicine
vsnonprescription
1 2.7

A medicine you can buy without a doctor's prescription

is more general and applies to non medicine products as well
OTC
vsnonprescription
  • Specialized
3.9

Medicines you can buy without a doctor's prescription

is the full word form suited to formal or general product descriptions

Antonyms

prescription
3.8

Only sold with a doctor's written order

Surface Forms

nonprescription positive

Morphology

nonprescription = prescription (transparent) = non + prescription

The negative prefix 'non-' straightforwardly negates 'prescription', producing the adjectival meaning 'not requiring a doctor's prescription'.

Etymology

Nonprescription is made of non- meaning 'not' and prescription, from prescribe meaning 'to tell what medicine someone should take'. So nonprescription means a medicine you can buy 'without a doctor's order'.