non-proprietary

/ˌnɒn prəˈpraɪətri/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn prəˈpraɪəteri/ (ame, ipa)

non-proprietary — adjective

1. describes a product, software, technology, or piece of information that no singl

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes a product, software, technology, or piece of information that no single company owns or controls — anyone can use, copy, sell, or build on it without paying a licence fee or asking for permission.

例句

Christopher prefers non-proprietary software because he can share copies with his students.

attributive: non-proprietary + noun (software)

The hospital switched to non-proprietary medical equipment to lower repair costs.

collocation: non-proprietary equipment / format / standard

同義詞
  • open

    broader; can describe attitude, doors, or systems, not just ownership status.

  • generic

    focuses on the absence of a brand name (often used of medicines or consumer goods).

  • open-source

    specific to software whose code is publicly available; narrower than non-proprietary.

  • unbranded

    everyday-register version, usually about physical goods without a logo.

反義詞
  • proprietary

    owned and controlled by a specific company; the direct opposite.

  • branded

    carries a particular company's name (typically of consumer products).

文法句型

non-proprietary + noun

用法筆記

Almost always attributive — placed before a noun (non-proprietary software, non-proprietary format). Rarely used after 'be' in everyday writing; predicative use ('this format is non-proprietary') reads as a technical claim rather than a description.

常見錯誤

❌a non-proprietary' (used as a noun on its own).
✅a non-proprietary product / format / tool.
💡the word is an adjective and needs a noun after it.
❌The software is very non-proprietary.
✅The software is open and non-proprietary.
💡the word does not take degree modifiers like 'very' or 'more'; ownership is yes-or-no.