English Meaning & Definitions
A person, plan, or idea that has no chance of success or is not worth considering.
- “The proposal to cut the budget by fifty percent was a nonstarter from the very beginning.”
- “He wanted to move to a remote island, but his wife considered the idea a total nonstarter.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “nonstarter”.
The term originated in the mid-20th century, derived from horse racing terminology. A 'non-starter' referred to a horse that was entered in a race but failed to leave the starting gate, thereby being disqualified or unable to compete. By the 1960s, the term expanded metaphorically to describe any idea, plan, or person deemed incapable of succeeding or even beginning.
Think of a car that refuses to turn on; it is a 'non-starter' because it cannot even begin the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About “nonstarter”
1. What is the meaning of “nonstarter” in English?
In English, nonstarter (noun) is defined as: “A person, plan, or idea that has no chance of success or is not worth considering.”.
2. How do you use “nonstarter” in a sentence?
“The proposal to cut the budget by fifty percent was a nonstarter from the very beginning.”
3. What are English synonyms of “nonstarter”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “nonstarter”?
The term originated in the mid-20th century, derived from horse racing terminology. A 'non-starter' referred to a horse that was entered in a race but failed to leave the starting gate, thereby being disqualified or unable to compete. By the 1960s, the term expanded metaphorically to describe any idea, plan, or person deemed incapable of succeeding or even beginning.
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