nothingness

American  

[nuhth-ing-nis] / ˈnʌθ ɪŋ nɪs /

noun

1. the state of being nothing.

2. something that is nonexistent.

   a view of humanity as suspended between infinity and nothingness.

3. lack of being; nonexistence.

   The sound faded into nothingness.

4. unconsciousness or death.

   She remembered a dizzy feeling, then nothingness.

5. utter insignificance, emptiness, or worthlessness; triviality.

   The days followed one another in an endless procession of nothingness.

6. something insignificant or without value.

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nothingness British  

/ ˈnʌθɪŋnɪs /

noun

1. the state or condition of being nothing; nonexistence

2. absence of consciousness or life

3. complete insignificance or worthlessness

4. something that is worthless or insignificant

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Etymology

Origin of nothingness

First recorded in 1625–35; nothing + -ness

Example Sentences

While in space, the crew spoke of the surreal sights of our dusty, rugged natural satellite, appearing about the size of a bowling ball at arm’s length, suspended in the nothingness.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

The moon, appearing about the size of a bowling ball at arm’s length to the crew, hung in the nothingness.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Just a carefully curated exercise in nothingness, presented as importance.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2026

Kelson’s memento mori, in its way, adds dignity to what is otherwise a sentence to nothingness.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

All my moth ideas had burnt away to nothingness.

From "The Ugly One" by Leanne Statland Ellis