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nondescript

adjective
non·​de·​script | \ ˌnän-di-ˈskript How to pronounce nondescript (audio) \

Definition of nondescript

1 : belonging or appearing to belong to no particular class or kind : not easily described … a nondescript mixture of styles in the worst possible taste.— George Bernard Shaw
2 : lacking distinctive or interesting qualities : dull, drab Their performance was disappointingly nondescript.
Other Words from nondescript Synonyms How Nondescript Was Formed More Example Sentences Learn More about nondescript

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Other Words from nondescript

nondescript noun

How Nondescript Was Formed

It is relatively easy to describe the origins of "nondescript" (and there's a hint in the first part of this sentence). "Nondescript" was formed by combining the prefix non- (meaning "not") with the past participle of the Latin verb describere, meaning "to describe." It is no surprise, then, that when the word was adopted in the late 17th century by English speakers, it was typically applied to something (such as a genus or species) that had not yet been described. Other descriptive descendants of "describere" in English include "describe," "description," and "descriptive" itself, as well as the rare philosophical term "descriptum" ("something that is described").

Examples of nondescript in a Sentence

I work in one of the nondescript office buildings downtown. Their performance was disappointingly nondescript.

Recent Examples on the Web

 On Friday, September 6th Telfar Clemens teased his latest collection at a nondescript location in Brooklyn. — Ashley Rushford, Essence, "NYFW: Inside Telfar's Epic Film Screening Ahead of Paris Fashion Week Debut," 8 Sep. 2019 The module was supposed to land at a nondescript site between two craters close to the lunar south pole. — The Economist, "Bangalore, we have a problem," 7 Sep. 2019 In the case of 121102 (as it’s lyrically named), astronomers used large radio telescope arrays — which are good for pinpointing sources on the sky — to learn that this FRB was in a nondescript galaxy 3 billion light-years away. — Seth Shostak, NBC News, "Fast radio bursts from space have baffled scientists for years. But an explanation may come soon.," 3 Sep. 2019 No, the Grill Master will not don a nondescript apron. — Alex Watt, The New Yorker, "My Barbecue: F.A.Q.," 2 Sep. 2019 To think that these artists were cultivated in a nondescript two-story house in downtown Detroit, dubbed Hitsville USA, seems mind-boggling to this day. — Mara Reinstein, Billboard, "'Hitsville: The Making of Motown' Is Stylish, Slick and Safe," 23 Aug. 2019 Tight end, which had been a nondescript position before the 1960s, has become essential. — Rich Cohen, Harper's magazine, "The Wood Chipper," 19 Aug. 2019 Deriving its name from a portrait of Lennon painted on the otherwise nondescript expanse in the aftermath of his 1980 assassination, the barrier was quickly covered with Western pop culture symbols, opposition art and politically minded graffiti. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian, "Future Graffiti Additions to Prague’s John Lennon Wall Will Be Strictly Regulated," 5 Aug. 2019 By the 1960s, movie houses had become nondescript in design, a move away from the ornate art deco theaters from decades before, and Clear Lake Theater reflected that aesthetic shift. — Yvette Orozco, Houston Chronicle, "Demolition of Clear Lake Theatre building sparked memories," 1 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nondescript.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of nondescript

1789, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for nondescript

non- + Latin descriptus, past participle of describere to describe

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More Definitions for nondescript

nondescript

adjective
How to pronounce nondescript (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of nondescript

: not easily described : having no special or interesting qualities, parts, etc. : typical and uninteresting

See the full definition for nondescript in the English Language Learners Dictionary

nondescript

adjective
non·​de·​script | \ ˌnän-di-ˈskript How to pronounce nondescript (audio) \

Kids Definition of nondescript

: having no special or interesting characteristics : not easily described a nondescript building

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