non-prescription

/ˌnɒn prɪˈskrɪpʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn prɪˈskrɪpʃn/ (ame, ipa)

non-prescription — adjective

1. describes a medicine sold openly in shops and pharmacies, with no need for a wri

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a medicine sold openly in shops and pharmacies, with no need for a written order from a doctor

例句

Yuki picked up some non-prescription pain pills at the corner pharmacy before her hike.

non-prescription + noun (pain pills) — typical attributive use

Most non-prescription cold remedies contain a small dose of paracetamol and a cough suppressant.

subject position: non-prescription + plural noun for general statements

同義詞
  • over-the-counter

    near-synonymous; often abbreviated 'OTC'. Slightly more common in everyday speech.

  • OTC

    common abbreviation in pharmacy and medical writing; same meaning.

反義詞
  • prescription

    describes a medicine that requires a doctor's written order (e.g. 'prescription drugs').

文法句型

non-prescription + noun

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before a noun (medicine, drug, painkiller, remedy). Cannot follow 'be' — say 'this medicine is sold over the counter', not 'this medicine is non-prescription'.

常見錯誤

❌This cough syrup is non-prescription.
✅This cough syrup is available without a prescription.
💡'non-prescription' is attributive only; use 'over-the-counter' or a paraphrase after 'be'.
❌I bought a non-prescription at the chemist.
✅I bought a non-prescription medicine at the chemist.
💡never used as a standalone noun; always modifies a noun.