nothing

[ nuhth-ing ]

noun

1. no thing; not anything; naught:

   to say nothing.

2. no part, share, or trace (usually followed by of ):

   The house showed nothing of its former magnificence.

3. something that is nonexistent.
4. nonexistence; nothingness:

   The sound faded to nothing.

5. something of no importance or significance:

   Wealth is nothing if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it.

6. a trivial action, matter, circumstance, thing, or remark:

   to exchange a few nothings when being introduced.

7. a person of little or no importance; a nobody.
8. something that is without quantity or magnitude.
9. a cipher or naught:

   Nothing from nine leaves nine.

10. (used in conventional responses to expressions of thanks):

    Think nothing of it. It's nothing. Nothing to it.

adverb

1. in no respect or degree; not at all:

   It was nothing like that. Nothing dismayed, he repeated his question.

adjective

1. amounting to nothing, as in offering no prospects for satisfaction, advancement, or the like:

   She was stuck in a nothing job.

nothing

/ ˈnʌθɪŋ /

pronoun

1. indefinite no thing; not anything, as of an implied or specified class of things

   I can give you nothing

2. no part or share

   to have nothing to do with this crime

3. a matter of no importance or significance

   it doesn't matter, it's nothing

4. indicating the absence of anything perceptible; nothingness
5. indicating the absence of meaning, value, worth, etc

   to amount to nothing

6. zero quantity; nought
7. be nothing to
   1. not to concern or be significant to (someone)
   2. to be not nearly as good as
8. have nothing to do with or be nothing to do with
   to have no connection with
9. have nothing on or have got nothing on
   1. to have no engagements to keep
   2. to be undressed or naked
   3. to compare unfavourably with
10. in nothing flat informal.
    in almost no time; very quickly or soon
11. nothing but
    not something other than; only
12. nothing doing informal.
    an expression of dismissal, disapproval, lack of compliance with a request, etc
13. nothing if not
    at the very least; certainly
14. nothing less than or nothing short of
    downright; truly
15. there's nothing for it
    there's no choice; there's no other course
16. there's nothing like
    a general expression of praise

    there's nothing like a good cup of tea

17. there's nothing to it
    it is very simple, easy, etc
18. think nothing of
    1. to regard as routine, easy, or natural
    2. to have no compunction or hesitation about
    3. to have a very low opinion of
19. to say nothing of
    as well as; even disregarding

    he was warmly dressed in a shirt and heavy jumper, to say nothing of his thick overcoat

20. stop at nothing
    to be prepared to do anything; be unscrupulous or ruthless

adverb

1. in no way; not at all

   he looked nothing like his brother

noun

1. informal.
   a person or thing of no importance or significance
2. sweet nothings
   words of endearment or affection

Usage

Nothing normally takes a singular verb, but when nothing but is followed by a plural form of a noun, a plural verb is usually used: it was a large room where nothing but souvenirs were sold

Word History and Origins

Origin of nothing¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English nānthing, nathing; no ², thing ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nothing¹

Old English nāthing, nān thing, from nān none ¹+ thing ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. for nothing,
   1. free of charge.
   2. for no apparent reason or motive.
   3. futilely; to no avail:

      They had gone to a great deal of expense for nothing.

2. in nothing flat, in very little time:

   Dinner was finished in nothing flat.

3. make nothing of,
   1. to treat lightly; regard as easy.
   2. to be unsuccessful in comprehending:

      He could make nothing of the complicated directions.

4. nothing but, nothing other than; only:

   We could see nothing but fog.

5. nothing doing,
   1. Informal. emphatically no; certainly not.
   2. no activity, inducement, advantage, etc., present to the eye:

      We drove through the town but there seemed to be nothing doing.

6. nothing less than / short of, absolutely; completely:

   She was used to nothing less than the best.

7. think nothing of,
   1. to treat casually.
   2. to regard as insignificant:

      He thinks nothing of lying to conceal his incompetence.

More idioms and phrases containing nothing

• come to nothing
• count for (nothing)
• go for nothing
• have nothing on
• have nothing to do with
• here goes (nothing)
• in no time (nothing flat)
• leave a lot (nothing) to be desired
• make nothing of
• make something of (nothing)
• much ado about nothing
• not know beans (from nothing)
• not to mention (say nothing of)
• stop at nothing
• sweet nothings
• think nothing of
• want for nothing

Example Sentences

They will go in knowing next to nothing and will be staffed with cranks and scammers who know even less.

From Salon

Some received photos of one shirt with their logos on it, but say they had nothing more.

From BBC

She said she noticed the sitter was watching at least five other dogs, but thought nothing of it.

From Los Angeles Times

This is likely to mean a cut every other Bank of England interest rate meeting - so nothing next month, but then a further cut in early February.

From BBC

It proposes reducing or eliminating the 90% federal match rate, which would do nothing for enrollees and strain state budgets while preserving a few dollars for the feds.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• nobody