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to nil

to nil

1 8.1
To score zero points in a game
  • verb
  • /nɪl/
  • UK
: dejar a cero
  • Her attempts to score were met with strong defense, leaving her with nil points by the end of the game.

Examples

  • While progress toward implementing those agreements was slow to nil in 1992, hopes were raised in Korea and in the region.

    Academic text (1993)
  • The team ended the season with a score of nil, failing to win any matches.

  • In the final game, the home team managed to keep their opponents to nil throughout the match.

Antonyms

win
916 1.0

A victory in a contest or game

735 1.3

The number of points earned in a game or test

Compounds

Ipomoea nil
  • Specialized
1 9.9

An annual climbing plant with bright, ruffled flowers often grown in gardens

Surface Forms

nil infinitive
nilled past
nilled past participle
nilling present participle
nils third person singular

Etymology

Nil as a verb (often nilled) comes from the noun nil and Latin nihil 'nothing', so to 'nil' an opponent is to leave them with 'nothing' — zero points.