ENGLISH
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nonsense

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈnɑnsɛns// UK //nˈɒnsəns// non·sense

n. words or ideas that are silly and do not make any sense. You use this to describe something that is not true or is completely foolish.

n. spoken or written communication that lacks coherent meaning or logical consistency. Often used to dismiss an argument or statement as being factually incorrect or absurd.


SIMPLE

Stop talking nonsense and tell me the truth.

CONTEXTUAL

The witness's story was complete nonsense, as he claimed to be in two places at once.

COMPLEX

While the poem is technically categorized as literary nonsense, its rhythmic structure and invented vocabulary evoke a surprisingly clear emotional landscape for the reader.

Synonyms
Origin

From non- (“no, none, lack of”) + sense, from c. 1610. Compare the semantically similar West Frisian ûnsin (“nonsense”), Dutch onzin (“nonsense”), German Unsinn (“nonsense”), English unsense (“nonsense”).

Usage

Commonly used as an exclamation to dismiss a previous statement; frequently follows verbs like 'talk' or 'write'.

Pitfall

He told many nonsenses.He told a lot of nonsense.Nonsense is uncountable and does not have a plural form when referring to foolish talk.

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