noun
Very common
non
non
Non (noun) means a non-Muslim citizen, chiefly in historical or legal contexts. Example: “The census recorded separate categories for Muslims and nons.”
noun
1
A non-Muslim citizen, chiefly in historical or legal contexts.
"The census recorded separate categories for Muslims and nons."
How to use non
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA term for someone who is not Muslim, used mainly in specific legal or historical contexts.
When to use it
Rare outside specialist or regional legal usage; not a general everyday word.
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Word forms
- Plural
- nons
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The census recorded separate categories for Muslims and _____.
Synonyms
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non-Muslim
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Frequently asked questions
What does “non” mean?
The word “non” means a non-Muslim citizen, chiefly in historical or legal contexts. In plain terms, a term for someone who is not Muslim, used mainly in specific legal or historical contexts.
How do you pronounce “non”?
“Non” is pronounced non (/nɑn/ in IPA).
How do you use “non” in a sentence?
Here is “non” used in a sentence: “The census recorded separate categories for Muslims and nons.”
What part of speech is “non”?
“Non” is a noun.
Is “non” a common word?
“Non” is a very common word in modern English.
What does "non" mean as a noun?
In this specialized sense, "non" is a short form of "non-Muslim," used mainly in certain historical and legal writing to refer to a citizen who is not Muslim. It is a niche term rather than an everyday word, and outside these contexts "non" is far better known as a prefix meaning "not."
What is the difference between "non" the noun and the prefix "non-"?
The noun "non," meaning a non-Muslim citizen, appears only in narrow historical or legal contexts. The prefix "non-" is everyday English meaning "not," attached to other words — "non-stop," "non-fiction," "non-refundable." The prefix is by far the more common form; the standalone noun is rare and specialized.
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