Nonmetal is a term used in chemistry when classifying the chemical elements. On the basis of their general physical and chemical properties, every element in the periodic table can be termed either a metal or a nonmetal. (A few elements with intermediate properties are referred to as metalloids.) The elements generally regarded as nonmetals are: There is no rigorous definition for the term "nonmetal" - it covers a general spectrum of behavior. Common properties considered characteristic of a nonmetal include: