Looking up...
nontoxic
/ˌnɑnˈtɑksɪk/
not harmful or poisonous
The company uses nontoxic materials in all its children's toys.
The company ensures that all materials used in children's toys are safe and do not pose health risks.
Medicine
formal
Not containing or producing harmful substances; safe for humans, animals, or the environment.
Doctors recommend using nontoxic cleaning products in homes with infants.
Health professionals advise against using chemical-based cleaners when young children are present.
The lab tested the chemical to ensure it was nontoxic before approving its use in food packaging.
The chemical underwent safety assessments to confirm it would not contaminate food or pose health risks.
Often used in product labels, safety regulations, or environmental contexts to indicate safety.
informal
Free from harmful effects; emotionally or psychologically safe.
She joined a nontoxic relationship after her previous toxic one.
She sought a partnership where communication was respectful and free from manipulation.
Common in discussions about mental health, relationships, or workplace culture.
Collocations
nontoxic environmenta safe or healthy settingnontoxic chemicalssafe substancesnontoxic relationshipa healthy, non-manipulative partnership
Pro Tip
Avoid Redundancy
Avoid pairing 'nontoxic' with 'safe' (e.g., 'nontoxic and safe') as 'nontoxic' already implies safety.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
Use 'nontoxic' for physical safety (e.g., chemicals, materials) and extend it metaphorically to describe emotional or social environments.
Word Origin
Formed from the prefix 'non-' (meaning 'not') + 'toxic' (from Latin 'toxicum', meaning 'poison'). First recorded in English in the early 20th century.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in product labeling, environmental science, and social contexts. The term emphasizes the absence of harm rather than the presence of benefits.
Word Breakdown
non-
not
prefixtoxic
poisonous or harmful
rootEnglish Dictionary