1. Substances or compounds that do not readily evaporate or vaporize at normal temperatures and pressures.
Usage: plural form; technical/scientific term; commonly used in chemistry and materials science

Examples

• The paint contains both volatiles and nonvolatiles; the volatiles evaporate while the nonvolatiles remain as a solid film.
• In chromatography, nonvolatiles are separated from volatile compounds using specialized techniques.
• The nonvolatiles in the solution were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography.
• Cosmetic formulations often balance volatiles for quick absorption with nonvolatiles for lasting effects.
• Environmental regulations limit the emission of volatiles but are less restrictive on nonvolatiles.