What does nonresident mean?
Nonresident describes a person who does not live permanently in a particular place while still being connected with it, perhaps as a visitor, commuter, member of an organization, or participant in a local community. It can function as a noun, as in a nonresident of the country, or as an adjective modifying a person, place, privilege, or fee, as in nonresident parking. The word is especially common in official, legal, institutional, and financial contexts, where a person’s place of residence determines eligibility, rates, taxes, or membership rights. In everyday conversation, a visitor or someone who has recently moved may be described as a nonresident, although more specific terms are often preferable. The term is useful because it identifies someone as connected to a place without implying permanent residence there.
A person who does not live permanently in a particular place, especially one who visits from elsewhere.
"Visitors and other nonresidents may use the public parking facilities."
This is the less common but fully standard noun use; a nonresident can be a frequent visitor, temporary worker, or member of an outside community.
Not residing permanently in a specified place; belonging to or concerning someone who lives elsewhere.
"The hotel charges nonresident guests a higher daily rate."
The adjective is especially common in institutional, legal, tax, and financial contexts.
The usual plural form for the noun, referring to people who live elsewhere but are visiting, working, or otherwise associated with a particular place.
"The city council approved a new permit for nonresidents."
A nonresident may be a visitor today, an absentee tomorrow, and a legal category when the tax authorities ask where you live.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of nonresident
Nonresident is formed in English from the prefix non-, meaning “not,” and resident. Resident ultimately comes through French from Latin residere, “to sit, stay, or reside,” and related forms such as reside and residence continue this Latin origin. The compound became established in English during the 19th century, initially serving to distinguish people or things associated with a place but not living there permanently.
Related word forms
How nonresident is actually used
The word is formal and neutral, but it can have administrative or legal overtones, especially in phrases such as nonresident member and nonresident alien. In general use, it often suggests that someone lives elsewhere but has a temporary or occasional connection to the place being discussed.
Easily confused with nonresident
A nonresident is someone who does not live permanently in a place, whereas a transient is someone who is staying there only briefly or temporarily.
A resident lives permanently or ordinarily in a place, while a nonresident lives elsewhere and may visit or maintain a connection to it.