nonstarter
|non-start-er|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˌnɑːnˈstɑːrtər/
🇬🇧
/ˌnɒnˈstɑːtə/
no chance of success
Etymology
Etymology Information
'nonstarter' originates from English, specifically the prefix 'non-' meaning 'not' and 'starter' meaning 'one who starts or initiates'.
Historical Evolution
'nonstarter' was formed in English by combining 'non-' and 'starter' to describe something that does not begin or succeed.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'something that does not start', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'something that has no chance of succeeding'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Last updated: 2025/04/18 10:40