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nobody

pron. · n.
US //ˈnoʊˌbɑˌdi// UK //nˈəʊbɒdˌi// no·body
  1. 1 no person (pron.)
    A1 Beginner

    not any person; no one.

    not any person; the logical negation of somebody. Functions as a singular indefinite pronoun.

    Example

    I knocked on the door, but nobody answered.

    Example

    Despite the urgent nature of the announcement, nobody in the crowded hall seemed to pay the slightest bit of attention.

    Usage

    Always takes a singular verb form.
    • no one
    Pitfall
    Nobody were at the office.
    Nobody was at the office.

    Even though 'nobody' refers to a lack of people, it is grammatically singular and takes a singular verb.

  2. 2 unimportant person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person who is not famous, powerful, or important.

    a person of no importance, influence, or social standing. Often used in a dismissive or derogatory manner.

    Example

    Before she became a famous singer, she was just a nobody from a small town.

    Example

    The protagonist begins the novel as a complete nobody, working a dead-end job before a chance encounter changes his social trajectory forever.

    Teacher's tip

    This is the opposite of using 'somebody' to mean an important person (e.g., 'He thinks he's somebody').
Origin

From Middle English nobody, no-body, no body. By surface analysis, no (“none, not any”, adjective) + body (“one, person, individual”).

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