non-domestic

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Not relating to a home or household; used for commercial, industrial, or public buildings and services.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: non-domestic customers, non-domestic waste. It is not usually used after a verb.

   Patterns

   • non-domestic use
   • non-domestic customer
   • non-domestic building

   The new tax applies only to non-domestic properties such as shops and offices.

   Non-domestic water use has risen sharply in the last decade.

   The council collects non-domestic waste on Tuesdays.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Not belonging to or coming from one's own country; foreign or international.

   Grammar: Used before a noun, especially in business and legal contexts: non-domestic law, non-domestic investors.

   Patterns

   • non-domestic law
   • non-domestic investor
   • non-domestic market

   The company expanded into non-domestic markets in Asia.

   Non-domestic students pay higher tuition fees.

   The rules for non-domestic trade are different.

Common combinations

non-domestic property

The insurance covers both homes and non-domestic property.

non-domestic rates

Small shops often struggle to pay non-domestic rates.

non-domestic use

The land was approved for non-domestic use.

non-domestic customer

We supply both domestic and non-domestic customers.

Synonyms and how they differ

commercial

Focuses on business use and profit; non-domestic is broader and can include public buildings and foreign matters.

foreign

Used mainly for other countries; non-domestic can also mean 'not household'.

industrial

Refers to factories and manufacturing; non-domestic is wider.

Opposites

Commonly confused: non-domestic or nondomestic?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “non-domestic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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