nonvalid

Nonvalid is an adjective formed from the prefix non- and the word valid. It describes something that does not meet a defined standard of validity within a particular domain. In general English usage, nonvalid is rarer and more context-dependent than the more common term invalid.

In formal logic, the standard term for a failure of logical soundness is invalid; nonvalid is rarely used in that discipline. When it does appear, it is typically as a descriptive label rather than a technical category. Outside logic, nonvalid is more likely to be found in technical fields to indicate data, statements, or items that fail a specified validity check.

Common domains where nonvalid may occur include computing, data validation, and compliance. For example, nonvalid input to a software program refers to data that does not satisfy the program’s constraints. Nonvalid certificates may be rejected by a security system, and nonvalid forms fail to meet required constraints. In these contexts, nonvalid is sometimes used alongside valid, pending, or rejected statuses to track validation results.

Usage notes: because nonvalid is context-dependent and less standardized, writers often prefer clearer synonyms such as invalid, not valid, or failing validation. The distinction is primarily stylistic rather than semantic in many domains, and care should be taken to ensure the intended meaning is understood by the audience. See also invalid, validity, validation, data validation.