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no-nonsense

no-nonsense

22 4.6
Serious and practical, refusing silly or unnecessary things
  • adjective
  • /noʊˈnɑːns/
translation icon : práctico
  • The meeting was focused and no-nonsense, with everyone sticking to the agenda.
  • a no-nonsense approach

You, you strike me as someone who is somewhat no nonsense.

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Examples

  • Lillian was hard-drinking, no-nonsense, all work, full of joy, riding high.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Kellenburger, the home-plate umpire, pumped his fist and roared, "You're out!" in a decisive, no-nonsense tone.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • "You must go," Mama went on in her quiet, no-nonsense voice.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • No fuss, no nonsense, simple as that.

  • Both men were cryptic, with a no-nonsense approach to life and education.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Mr. Richards is no-nonsense when it comes to rules; rules are meant to be followed at all times.

    Academic text (2004)
  • You're a confident, no-nonsense, no frills kind of woman.

  • The last chapter in this book takes a no-nonsense look at the pros and cons.

    Blog text (27)
  • The detective is a no-nonsense type in his mid-forties with a military-regulation crewcut.

    Fiction book (1994)
  • Prince Philip is head of the royal family and patriarch of the princes, known as a no-nonsense and tough gruff military man.

Synonyms

down-to-earth
vsno-nonsense
42 4.1

A person who is practical and sensible in a friendly, not showy way

is firmer about cutting out frivolous or unnecessary behaviour
matter-of-fact
vsno-nonsense
12 5.6

Calm and direct about facts without strong feeling

is stricter about excluding frivolous or irrelevant matters
cut-and-dry
vsno-nonsense
1 4.1

Clear and simple, not likely to change

is about removing pointless or irrelevant items rather than declaring finality
without any frills
vsno-nonsense
3.8

Simple and plain with no extra things or decorations

is stricter, rejecting frivolous or irrelevant matters as well
pragmatical
vsno-nonsense
  • Archaic
7.9

Dealing with problems in a sensible, practical way to get results

is stricter, also refusing anything seen as frivolous or irrelevant

Antonyms

74 6.8

Not serious and not useful, often wasting time or money

How Serious

strict
359 3.2
stern
42 4.3
no-nonsense
22 4.6
practical
507 2.6
laid-back
  • Informal
30 3.9

Surface Forms

no-nonsense positive

Morphology

no-nonsense = no + nonsense (transparent) = no + nonsense

The adjective is a direct compound of 'no' + 'nonsense' meaning 'without nonsense', which is immediately interpretable by learners.

Etymology

No-nonsense comes from joining no and nonsense, which mean 'not' and 'silly talk'. So, a no-nonsense person or approach refuses silly or useless ideas and is practical and direct.