VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

non-electric

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌnɒn ɪˈlektrɪk/
US/ˌnɑːn ɪˈlektrɪk/

Meanings

  1. adjectivebefore a noun

    Not using or needing electricity to work.

    Grammar: It usually comes before a noun: 'a non-electric tool'. It is not used after 'be' in everyday speech; say 'This tool doesn't use electricity' instead.

    Patterns

    • a non-electric device
    • non-electric tools
    • non-electric heating

    During the power cut, we used non-electric lamps and candles.

    The campsite only allows non-electric cooking equipment.

    She prefers non-electric kitchen tools because they are easy to clean.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Not connected to or powered by the electricity supply.

    Grammar: Used for homes, vehicles or systems that do not run on mains electricity: 'a non-electric house'.

    Patterns

    • a non-electric vehicle
    • non-electric heating
    • a non-electric home

    They live in a non-electric cabin in the woods.

    The old non-electric train was replaced by a modern one.

    Non-electric bikes are still cheaper than electric ones.

Common combinations

non-electric tools
He packed non-electric tools for the camping trip.
non-electric heating
The cottage uses non-electric heating, such as a wood stove.
non-electric vehicle
A non-electric vehicle needs fuel, not a battery.
non-electric appliances
The store sells non-electric appliances for emergencies.

Synonyms and how they differ

manual
Manual means worked by hand, not by electricity; it is narrower than 'non-electric', which can also mean using gas or another power source.
unpowered
Unpowered means having no motor or power source at all, while 'non-electric' can still use another kind of power.

Opposites

electric

Word family

electric adjective
Working by electricity.
electrical adjective
Relating to electricity.
electricity noun
The energy that powers lights and machines.

Commonly confused: non-electric or nonelectric?

non-electric vs nonelectric

Some writers spell it without a hyphen. Both are accepted, but 'non-electric' is the more common form in British and American writing.

Practice

Choose the best word: We bought a ______ heater that runs on gas, so it still works when the power goes out.

Make it your own

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

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words