🥩 Not essential 👜 A luxury item

nonstaple

7.2

A product people do not need for daily life, like chocolate or wine

noun
/ˈnɒnˌsteɪpəl/

Specialized

: producto no básico

In the first quarter of 1988, prices for nonstaple foods rose 24.2 percent, and prices of fresh vegetables increased 48.7 percent.

Examples

During the holiday season, shoppers often indulge in nonstaple products, treating themselves to lavish gifts and decorations.
The store specializes in nonstaple items like gourmet chocolates and artisanal coffee.
Many families decided to cut their spending on nonstaple goods, such as luxury electronics and designer clothing.

Synonyms

nonessential

vsnonstaple

1 5.6

A thing that is not needed

is specific to goods seen as discretionary or luxury in economic contexts

inessential

vsnonstaple

1 5.5

A thing you do not need and can leave behind

is used for goods judged discretionary or luxury in economic terms

nonnecessity

vsnonstaple

7.4

A thing you do not need

applies to specific goods viewed as discretionary or luxury in economics

Antonyms

necessity

274 2.0

A thing you need to live, like food or water

staple

82 3.0

A basic food or product people use often

How Staple

necessity

274 2.0

staple

82 3.0

nonstaple

Specialized

7.2

luxury

322 4.2

Surface Forms

nonstaple singular

nonstaples plural

Morphology

nonstaple = staple (transparent) = non + staple

Standard negation formed with 'non-' applied to 'staple', so the economic meaning 'not a basic necessity' is predictable.

Etymology

Nonstaple as a noun uses the same parts: non- 'not' and staple 'a basic item'. So a nonstaple is a product you can choose to buy or skip, such as electronics or luxury foods, not something needed every day.