nil

¹ American  

[nil] / nɪl /

noun

1. nothing; naught; zero.

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adjective

1. having no value or existence.

   His credit rating is nil.

NIL ² American  

abbreviation

1. name, image, likeness: aspects of a collegiate athlete’s identity for which they may earn money from a third party, as for advertising sponsorship or merchandise sales, although they are prohibited from being paid directly by colleges and universities for their participation in intercollegiate sports.

   Student-athletes should report NIL activities consistent with state law or school and conference requirements to their school.

   The NCAA decision about NIL has forever changed college football, allowing players to make money for the first time.

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nil British  

/ nɪl /

noun

1. another word for nothing: used esp in the scoring of certain games

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Etymology

Origin of nil¹

First recorded in 1805–15; from Latin nīl, variant of nīlum, contraction of nihilum “nothing,” equivalent to ne- “not” + hīlum “trifle”

Origin of NIL¹

First recorded in 2021; by abbreviation

Example Sentences

The water visibility was nil — just a blur of yellow, brown and eventually black.

From Los Angeles Times

They had to show defensive strength to keep Wales to nil - with Grace Banks making a superb tackle to deny Charlie Mundy late in the first half.

From BBC

He said the law could also help end extortionist demands on the state, and in some cases "nil compensation" could be justified.

From BBC

Mr Tate, who also banned shouting, said internal truancy - when pupils are in school but not lessons - was now "almost nil" and there was better focus in classrooms.

From BBC

Having kept both Glasgow Warriors and Harlequins to nil in their two previous knockout games, they were caught on their heels by the Saints' quick start.

From BBC