'nonmetallic' originates from Modern English by combining the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') with the adjective 'metallic'. 'metallic' derives from 'metal' + the adjectival suffix '-ic'.

'nonmetallic' was formed in Modern English by prefixing 'non-' to 'metallic'. 'metallic' itself comes from Middle English 'metallic', from Old French 'metal'/'metalique' and ultimately from Latin 'metallum' (from Greek 'metallon').

Initially, 'metal'/ 'metallum' referred to ore or metal (literally 'mine' or the metal extracted). Over time 'metallic' came to mean 'of or relating to metals', and 'nonmetallic' developed to mean 'not of or relating to metals' (lacking metallic qualities).