What does noncentral mean?
Noncentral means that something is not at the center of a place, object, system, or area of concern. Spatially, it describes a position away from the central point: a noncentral region may lie toward the edge of a country or city. More figuratively, it describes a subject or role that is peripheral rather than essential to the main subject or structure. A detail in a report might be noncentral if it has little bearing on the report’s principal argument, while an employee might have a noncentral role in an organization. The adjective is more formal than “off-center” in its physical sense and often conveys the idea of secondary importance rather than mere physical distance. Its standard adverbial form is “noncentrally.”
adjectiveNot situated at, near, or constituting the center of something. Also, not central to the main part, importance, or influence of something.
- Not at or near the center of something.
- Not central to the importance, function, or main concern of something.
"The discussion of the budget remained a noncentral part of the meeting."
"Most of the inhabitants live in noncentral areas of the region."
"Cost was a noncentral concern during the initial planning of the project."
The prefix non- makes central negative: what stands away from the center becomes noncentral.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does noncentral come from?
Noncentral was formed in English by combining the prefix non-, meaning “not,” with central. Central ultimately comes through French from Latin centralis, a derivative of centrum, meaning “center.” The same Latin root underlies words such as centre, centric, and concentric.
Related word forms
How noncentral is actually used
The word is formal in tone and is less common than the simpler phrase “away from the center” or “not central to.” Its use for something peripheral in importance is especially common in discussion of organizations, subjects, and issues.