View synonyms for

sine qua non

[sahy-nee kwey non, kwah, sin-ey, si-ne kwah-nohn]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

an indispensable condition, element, or factor; something essential.
Her presence was the sine qua non of every social event.

sine qua non

/ ˈsaɪnɪ kweɪ ˈnɒn /

noun

an essential condition or requirement

sine qua non

The essential, crucial, or indispensable ingredient without which something would be impossible: “Her leadership was the sine qua non of the organization's success.” From Latin, meaning “without which nothing.”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sine qua non¹

From Late Latin sine quā (causā) nōn “without which (thing) not”

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sine qua non¹

literally: without which not

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

An essential element or condition, as in A perfect cake is the since qua non of a birthday party. This phrase is Latin for “without which not” and has been used in English since about 1600. It appears more in writing than in speech.

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The photo-op had supplanted policy as the sine qua non of political discourse.

From

The core of the Jan. 6 case is a breathtaking effort to exhort supporters to commit an insurrection and prevent the peaceful transfer of power, the sine qua non of a democracy.

From

�� I did in the meantime — because I knew that I had to be there and eat the food, and know the people, and that was sine qua non.

From

Impartiality is the sine qua non for any jurist, therefore, the privilege of a lifetime appointment requires strict avoidance of even the slightest appearance of partisanship.

From

But a first hostage deal “is the sine qua non of the administration’s larger regional deal,” said Martin S. Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel.

From

sine prole sinew

Browse