NONSTANDARD

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does nonstandard mean? 

• NONSTANDARD (adjective)
  The adjective NONSTANDARD has 3 senses:

1. not conforming to the language usage of a prestige group within a community

2. varying from or not adhering to a standard

3. not standard; not accepted as a model of excellence

  Familiarity information: NONSTANDARD used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NONSTANDARD (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not conforming to the language usage of a prestige group within a community

Context example:

the common core of nonstandard words and phrases in folk speech

Similar:

bad (nonstandard)

unacceptable; unaccepted (not conforming to standard usage)

Domain category:

linguistics (the scientific study of language)

Antonym:

standard (conforming to the established language usage of educated native speakers)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Varying from or not adhering to a standard

Context example:

nonstandard lengths of board

Similar:

deficient; inferior; substandard (falling short of some prescribed norm)

nonnormative (not based on a norm)

Attribute:

amount; measure; quantity (how much there is or how many there are of something that you can quantify)

Antonym:

standard (conforming to or constituting a standard of measurement or value; or of the usual or regularized or accepted kind)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Not standard; not accepted as a model of excellence

Context example:

a nonstandard text

Antonym:

standard (established or well-known or widely recognized as a model of authority or excellence)