non-Canadians
|non-ca-na-di-ans|
🇺🇸
/nɑn kəˈneɪdiənz/
🇬🇧
/nɒn kəˈneɪdiənz/
(non-Canadian)
not from Canada
Etymology
'non-Canadian' is formed from the English prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') plus 'Canadian' (from 'Canada'). 'non-' comes via Late Latin 'non' meaning 'not', and 'Canadian' derives from 'Canada', the place-name.
'Canadian' comes from the country name 'Canada', which entered English via French. 'Canada' ultimately traces back to the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning 'village' or 'settlement'. The compound 'non-Canadian' is a modern English formation using the productive prefix 'non-' attached to a nationality adjective.
Initially the components meant 'not' (for 'non-') and 'of or relating to Canada' (for 'Canadian'); combined they have the straightforward, literal meaning 'not Canadian', which has remained stable.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural noun. People who are not citizens or nationals of Canada; persons from countries other than Canada.
Non-Canadians must show their passports at the entrance.
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Adjective 1
not Canadian; relating to or applicable to people who are not Canadian.
The policy affects non-Canadians as well as citizens.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 14:15