nonlegal
|non-leg-al|
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑnˈliːɡəl/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈliːɡəl/
not related to or recognized by law
Etymology
'nonlegal' is formed from the negative prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') + 'legal'. 'Legal' ultimately comes from Latin 'legalis', from 'lex' meaning 'law'.
'legal' entered English via Old French and Middle English from Latin 'legalis' (from 'lex'). The prefix 'non-' (from Latin 'non', meaning 'not') was attached in modern English usage to form the compound 'non-legal' (later written 'nonlegal').
The components originally meant 'not' + 'pertaining to law'; over time the compound came to be used specifically for things that either lack legal force or lie outside the legal system.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
lacking legal force or validity; not recognized or enforceable by law.
The certificate is nonlegal and cannot be presented as evidence in court.
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Adjective 2
not relating to the law or the legal system; outside the scope of legal regulation.
They discussed several nonlegal issues such as ethics and public opinion.
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Last updated: 2025/10/31 03:04