Definition

Not living as a parasite; not dependent on another organism for survival or nourishment.

Example

The nonparasitic species thrive in their own environment without relying on other organisms.

Conversation

I recently read about some plants that are nonparasitic.

Oh really? What does that mean exactly?

It means they don’t rely on other plants for nutrients or survival.

That’s interesting! I didn’t know there were such plants.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Nonparasitic → It is formed from "non-" (meaning not) and "parasitic" (from Greek "parasitos", meaning one who eats at another's table). The word "nonparasitic" means not living at the expense of another organism, indicating a relationship that does not involve parasitism.

Memory Tip

Think of 'non-' meaning not, and 'parasitic' referring to something that lives off another. This helps you remember that 'nonparasitic' describes organisms that do not rely on others for sustenance.

Visually Confused Words