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Definition of nonliving

nonliving

/ˌnɑːnˈlɪv.ɪŋ/
(UK: non-living)
non · liv · ing
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nonliving Lexical Profile

nonliving Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Not having life; inanimate or abiotic, especially referring to physical matter or environmental factors that are not and have never been alive.

Example

"An ecosystem consists of a community of organisms interacting with the nonliving components of their environment, such as soil, air, and water."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

In scientific and ecological contexts, 'nonliving' (or 'abiotic') refers to physical and chemical elements such as water, rocks, and sunlight that have never had life, distinguishing them from 'dead' organisms, which were once alive.

• Rhymes for nonliving

• Nearby Words

nonliquid
nonliteral
nonliterate
nonliving
nonlocally
nonmagnetic
nonmainstream

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nonliving. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nonliving
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