nontechnical
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Not involving or requiring specialized knowledge or skills: Describes something that does not use, relate to, or depend on the terminology, methods, or principles of a particular technical, scientific, or professional field. It is accessible to a general audience. 2. Lacking technical expertise: Describes a person who is not trained or skilled in technical subjects.
Usage and Examples
The adjective nontechnical is used to modify nouns, indicating that the subject matter, language, or perspective is free from complex, field-specific details.
- The report provided a nontechnical summary for company shareholders. (The summary avoided specialized jargon.)
- Her nontechnical background was an asset, as she could explain complex ideas in simple terms. (She did not have formal training in a technical field.)
- The manual was written in nontechnical language so that all users could understand it. (The language was clear and not specialized.)
Advanced Usage
- Nontechnical role: A job position that does not require engineering, programming, or other specialized scientific skills.
- He moved from an engineering role to a nontechnical role in marketing.
- Nontechnical audience: A group of listeners or readers who are not experts in the subject being discussed.
- When presenting to a nontechnical audience, avoid using acronyms.
Variants and Related Words
- Technical (adj): The direct antonym, meaning involving or concerned with applied and industrial sciences, or requiring special knowledge.
- Layperson's (adj): Of, for, or suited to a person who is not a member of a particular profession; non-expert. (e.g., ).
- Plain-language (adj): Using clear, straightforward expression that is easy for the public to understand.
Synonyms
- Accessible
- General
- Everyday (language)
- Simple
- Understandable
Antonyms
- Technical
- Specialized
- Esoteric
- Expert
- Scientific
Related Phrases and Usage Notes
- In nontechnical terms: A phrase used to introduce a simplified explanation.
- In nontechnical terms, the software acts like a digital assistant.
- The distinction between technical and nontechnical is central to effective communication, especially in fields like technology, medicine, and law, where information must often be translated for general understanding.
Adjective
- not characteristic of or skilled in applied arts and sciences
- nontechnical aspects of the job
- nontechnical training
- an untechnical reader
- in clear effective nontechnical language