Meaning & use
nonsmoker
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A person who does not smoke tobacco.
Grammar: Countable noun: a nonsmoker, two nonsmokers. Often used in contrast with smoker.
Patterns
- a nonsmoker
- be a nonsmoker
She has been a nonsmoker for ten years.
The survey found that nonsmokers are more likely to support smoking bans.
As a nonsmoker, he prefers to sit in the nonsmoking section of restaurants.
nouncountable
A person who does not use a particular drug or substance, especially when specified.
Grammar: Used with a modifier: a nonsmoker of marijuana, etc.
Patterns
- a nonsmoker of something
He is a nonsmoker of cannabis but occasionally drinks alcohol.
The study compared smokers and nonsmokers of tobacco.
Word forms
| plural | nonsmokers |
|---|
Common combinations
- a lifelong nonsmoker
- My grandfather was a lifelong nonsmoker.
- nonsmoking area
- The hotel has a nonsmoking area in the lobby.
- nonsmokers' rights
- The group campaigns for nonsmokers' rights in public places.
Synonyms and how they differ
- non-smoker
- A variant spelling with a hyphen, common in British English; the meaning is the same.
Opposites
Word family
- smoker noun
- A person who smokes tobacco.
- smoking noun
- The activity of smoking tobacco.
- nonsmoking adjective
- Describing an area where smoking is not allowed.
Practice
The sign said 'Nonsmokers only', which means the area is for people who ______.
Choose one answer.
Nonsmoker means a person who does not smoke tobacco. The other options describe people who smoke or are involved with tobacco, which does not match the word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nonsmoker”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.