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nothing

nothing

1.0
Not anything of interest or value
  • pronoun
  • /ˈnʌθɪŋ/
translation icon : nada
  • He opened the box but found nothing inside.
  • nothing else
  • nothing more
  • nothing wrong

Their insecurity means nothing is ever enough.

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Examples

Synonyms

none
vsnothing
1.0

Not any of a group of people or things

is used broadly for total absence rather than within a specific group
squat
vsnothing
  • Slang
54 8.1

An amount that is nothing

is the broad neutral term for lack without the slangy negation phrasing
zip
vsnothing
  • Slang
43 8.1

Nothing at all often used informally to mean zero

is the common general expression rather than the casual slang term
naught
vsnothing
  • Archaic
30 8.3

The state of having no value, result, or importance

is the neutral everyday term for absence rather than literary flavour
nil
vsnothing
  • UK
20 5.1

No amount or value, meaning nothing at all

is the broad everyday expression for lack across many situations
nothin
vsnothing
  • Informal
19 9.9

Not anything or zero

is the standard written form rather than the casual nonstandard one
aught
vsnothing
  • Archaic
15 9.9

Nothing of value or importance

is the common modern word used instead of this rare or old term
zippo
vsnothing
  • Archaic
8 9.9

Nothing at all

is the regular term used without the slangy emphatic tone
zilch
vsnothing
  • Informal
7 8.5

Nothing at all

is the neutral word for absence without the strong slang emphasis
diddley
vsnothing
  • Informal
7 9.9

A very small amount, almost nothing

is the neutral general notion of absence rather than a colloquial minimizer
nada
vsnothing
  • Informal
6 9.4

Nothing at all

is the neutral native English term rather than the casual borrowed expression
goose egg
vsnothing
  • Informal
3 8.1

A score or total of zero

is the general word for lack, not specifically about scores or results
nowt
vsnothing
  • UK
1 9.9

Not anything at all

is the neutral, widely understood term rather than regional colloquial usage
zero
vsnothing
1.0

Having no amount or value

is the general concept of lack not limited to measurable quantities
nae
vsnothing
  • UK
9.9

No one or nothing in Scots dialect

is the standard neutral expression rather than the regional dialectal form

Antonyms

1.0

An unknown object or idea that is not named

1.0

All the things or all that someone has

Idioms

1.5

Only, not anything else

Not involved with a person or thing

161 2.1

At least one thing is true, even if no other thing is

To say that something is only what it is and not more important

Ordinary and not very interesting

To say that something is exactly as said to show strong feeling

A strong way to say that something is exactly or at least what you expect

19 7.9

Showing a particular quality very strongly

15 2.7

Simple and plain without anything special or expensive

nothing to it
  • Informal
15 1.0

Very easy to do

Being fully committed to one plan with no compromise

to nothing beats
  • Informal
10 4.0

You say this when one thing is better than all others

To mention an extra fact that makes the situation seem more surprising or serious

5 7.5

A lot of fuss about something unimportant

To have everything you need and wish for

4 7.4

A phrase people say to tell others nothing interesting or worrying is happening

4 9.0

A phrase people say when they are annoyed because someone does not help

3 6.8

A perfect basketball shot that goes through the net without touching the rim or backboard

in nothing flat
  • Archaic
1 7.0

In a very short time

Not very impressive or special

nothing flat
  • Informal
1 8.5

Very quickly without delay

1 7.8

Say this before trying something risky when you expect little success

1 6.0

Things people say that are completely untrue or pointless

nothing doing
  • Informal
1 8.1

A firm no when someone asks for something

Too small to be important

Only top quality is acceptable

9.9

To move with great ease and joy while showing confidence

9.5

Words or ideas that are complete nonsense and worthless

Compounds

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
16 7.1

A person who is lazy and does nothing useful

9 7.5

Not willing or able to take action

do-nothing
  • Offensive
9 7.0

A person who avoids work and makes little effort

Allowing no compromise and happening completely or not at all

know-nothing
  • Offensive
5 8.5

An insulting word for a person who has very little information

good-for-nothing
  • Offensive
2 6.8

Not useful or worth much

Know-Nothing Party
  • Offensive
9.9

A 1850s American political party that opposed immigrants and Catholics

9.9

Complete nonsense that is not true

How Much

a lot
1.0
some
1 1.0
a little
1.0
nm
  • Slang
9.9
nothing
1.0

Surface Forms

nothing subject case

Morphology

nothing = no + thing (transparent) = no + thing

The word is a straightforward compound of 'no' + 'thing' meaning 'not anything', which is directly inferable by learners.

Etymology

Nothing comes from Old English parts no ('not any') and thing ('object' or 'matter'), so it originally meant 'not any thing'. That's why as a pronoun it simply means 'not anything'.