nontechnical

adjective

non·​tech·​ni·​cal ˌnän-ˈtek-ni-kəl 

: not technical: such as

a

: not related to technique or technical skills or subjects

Most of the criticism focused on nontechnical aspects of care—not whether the diagnosis or surgery was correct but on the overall experience of the patient.

—Tara Lagu

b

: not being or using technical or specialized terminology

The doctor explained the effects of the disease in nontechnical terms.

Most of the writing in this book is nontechnical, meaning that it can be understood by the 99.7 percent of the public who are trained in neither science nor engineering.

—Timothy Ferris

c

: not having or requiring technical or specialized knowledge or skills

I believe that e-books should be targeted at nontechnical users, but I can't imagine my mother-in-law reading her romance novels on one.

—Paul MacFarlane

nontechnically

ˌnän-ˈtek-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

describing the problem clearly and nontechnically

Examples of nontechnical in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As outlined earlier, some platforms are more accessible for nontechnical users, whereas others may require substantial technical skills and a development team to manage effectively—but the rewards for doing so can be high. —Robert Giovannini, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024

There’s also coursework that ranges from introductory classes for nontechnical roles to more complex learning for those in data science roles. —John Kell, Fortune, 2 May 2024

In addition to direct hire, OPM additionally authorized temporary excepted service appointments to bolster agencies to carry out the nontechnical work needed to support the executive order. —Sage Lazzaro, Fortune, 4 Jan. 2024

But scientists say seaweed removal is a low-cost, nontechnical method that can significantly improve reef health. —Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above