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nil

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈnɪɫ// UK //nˈɪl// nil

n. the number zero. You mostly hear this in sports scores or when talking about having nothing left.

n. the quantity or value of zero. Frequently used in British English sports reporting and in formal contexts to indicate a total absence of something.


SIMPLE

The final score of the match was three-nil.

CONTEXTUAL

The chances of the project succeeding without further funding are practically nil.

COMPLEX

Despite the high expectations surrounding the new policy, its actual impact on the local economy has been virtually nil over the first fiscal quarter.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used in sports scores (e.g., 'two-nil') and in the phrase 'virtually nil' to mean 'almost zero'.

Pitfall

The score was zero-zeroThe score was nil-nilIn British English sports contexts, 'nil' is the standard term for a zero score, whereas 'zero' sounds unnatural.

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