:not()

The negation CSS pseudo-class, :not(X), has a functional notation taking a simple selector X as an argument. It matches elements that are not represented by the argument. X must not contain another negation selector. X may also not target a pseudo element.

/* Selects any element that is NOT a paragraph */
body :not(p) {
  color: blue;
}

Syntax

:not( <selector># )

Example

HTML

<p>This is a boring paragraph.</p>
<p class="shiny">I am so very shiny!</p>
<div>It ain't easy being green.</div>

CSS

.shiny { text-shadow: 1px 1px 2px gold; }

/* Selects all <p> elements that are not in the class .shiny */
p:not(.shiny) { color: red; }

/* Selects all elements that are not <p> */ 
:not(p) { color: green; }

Result

Specifications

Browser compatibility