1. people who are not related by blood, marriage, or adoption
Usage: plural form

Examples

• The inheritance was left only to family members, excluding all nonrelatives.
• She felt more comfortable discussing personal matters with nonrelatives.
• The study compared children raised by relatives versus those raised by nonrelatives.
• Insurance benefits extend to spouses and children but not to nonrelatives living in the household.
• Many nonrelatives attended the family reunion as close friends of the family.
• The adoption agency carefully screens both relatives and nonrelatives as potential guardians.