Final answer:
Nonmetals have a high electronegativity, which means they have a strong attraction for electrons when forming chemical bonds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The property characteristic of nonmetals is that they have a high electronegativity. Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when it forms a chemical bond. Nonmetals usually have more valence electrons, so they have a strong attraction for additional electrons, making them electronegative. This property is in contrast to metals, which usually have a low electronegativity and tend to lose electrons.
Learn more about Properties of nonmetals