nondescript
gb/nˈɑndɪskɹˈɪpt/ us/nˈɑndɪskɹˈɪpt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
Lacking distinctive features
Plain and not special-looking; not easy to notice.
Usage pattern:
[a] nondescript [person/thing/place/building]
Common mistake:
Often confused with indescribable (so unusual you can’t describe it). Nondescript means ordinary and without distinctive features.
Synonyms
unremarkable (More general for anything not worth special notice.)
|
ordinary (Emphasizes being normal rather than distinctive.)
|
featureless (Focuses on the lack of visible distinguishing details.)
Antonyms
distinctive (Clearly recognizable because it has special features.)
|
striking (Immediately noticeable and memorable.)
|
memorable (Easy to remember because it stands out.)
Collocations
nondescript building
|nondescript office
|nondescript apartment
|nondescript street
|nondescript suburb
|nondescript town
|nondescript hotel
|nondescript room
|nondescript guy
|nondescript car
Themes
appearance
|describing_people
|describing_places
Examples
- From the outside it was a nondescript building, but inside it was beautifully designed.
- She wore a nondescript grey coat that didn’t draw any attention.
- The café looks nondescript from the street, so most people walk past it.
Learner examples
- It’s a nondescript house on a quiet street.
- He looks nondescript in plain clothes.
adjective
C2
property
2
Hard to classify or describe
Not clearly one particular kind; difficult to describe.
Usage pattern:
[a] nondescript [taste/smell/sound/feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this when they mean vague (unclear) or bland (lacking strong taste). Nondescript often implies no defining characteristics.
Synonyms
indefinable (Stresses that it cannot be pinned down in words.)
|
generic (Suggests it fits a broad, common category without specifics.)
|
vague (Focuses on lack of clarity rather than lack of distinguishing features.)
Antonyms
specific (Clearly defined and exact.)
|
distinct (Clearly different from other things.)
|
characteristic (Having features typical of a particular type.)
Collocations
nondescript taste
|nondescript smell
|nondescript sound
|nondescript feeling
|nondescript flavor
|nondescript background
|nondescript illness
|nondescript complaint
Themes
language
|describing_things
Examples
- The sauce had a nondescript taste—neither sweet nor spicy, just bland.
- He complained of a nondescript ache that didn’t match any obvious injury.
- There was a nondescript smell in the hallway, hard to identify.
Learner examples
- The drink has a nondescript flavor.
- I feel a nondescript pain in my back.
Noun
C2
entity
3
An unremarkable person or thing
A person or thing that looks ordinary and is not noticeable.
Usage pattern:
[a] nondescript
Common mistake:
This noun use is less common than the adjective; learners often sound more natural using the adjective before a noun (e.g., 'a nondescript man').
Synonyms
nobody (Informal; focuses on low importance rather than appearance.)
|
nonentity (Stronger; suggests lack of significance or influence.)
|
unknown (Emphasizes not being known rather than being undistinguished.)
Antonyms
somebody (Informal; a person considered important or impressive.)
|
standout (Someone or something noticeably better or more distinctive.)
|
character (A person with a strong, distinctive personality.)
Collocations
a complete nondescript
|just a nondescript
|an absolute nondescript
Themes
describing_people
Examples
- In a room full of celebrities, he felt like a nondescript.
- The witness described the driver as a nondescript in a baseball cap.
- The painting would have been a nondescript if not for the bright red corner.
Learner examples
- He is a nondescript.
- Without the logo, it’s just a nondescript.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nondescript
IPA
GB/nˈɑndɪskɹˈɪpt/
US/nˈɑndɪskɹˈɪpt/
Syllables & stress
non - des - cript (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (non)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: nondescript
Noun
- Base: nondescript
- Plural: nondescripts
Word family
Forms
nondescripts
noun
Core family
Related words
descriptively
adverb
describable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
descriptor
noun
nondescriptly
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.