nothing
pron. · n. · adv. · interj.-
1 not anything (pron.) A1 Beginnernot any thing; the absence of something.
not any thing; used to indicate the complete absence of an object, event, or thought.
ExampleI opened the fridge but there was nothing to eat for dinner.
ExampleThe detective searched the apartment thoroughly but found nothing that could link the suspect to the crime scene.
PitfallI didn't see nothing.I saw nothing.In standard English, avoid using 'nothing' with another negative like 'didn't' because it creates a double negative.
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2 something unimportant (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatesomething that is not important or has no value.
a person or thing of no importance, value, or consequence.
ExampleDon't worry about the broken glass; it is nothing.
ExampleTo a billionaire, a thousand dollars is a mere nothing, yet to a struggling student, it represents a significant fortune.
- trifle
- nonentity
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3 sweet nothings (n.) C1 Advanced Literarykind or romantic words that do not have a serious meaning.
trivial or affectionate remarks, typically whispered between lovers.
ExampleThe couple sat on the park bench whispering sweet nothings to each other.
ExampleHe spent the evening whispering sweet nothings into her ear, though his actions later proved his words were insincere.
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4 not at all (adv.) B1 Intermediatenot at all; used to emphasize that something is not like something else.
not at all; in no way. Often used in comparative structures like 'nothing like' or 'nothing near'.
ExampleThe new movie is nothing like the book I read last year.
ExampleThe actual cost of the renovation was nothing like the original estimate provided by the contractor.
- nowise
- hardly
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5 never mind (interj.) B1 Intermediate Informalyou say this when you want someone to forget what you just said.
used to dismiss a previous statement as unimportant or to tell someone to disregard a request.
ExampleOh, nothing—I thought I saw a spider, but it was just a piece of dust.
ExampleWhen she asked what he was muttering about, he simply replied, 'Nothing,' and turned back to his work.
- forget it
- never mind
From Middle English nothyng, noon thing, non thing, na þing, nan thing, nan þing, from Old English nāþing, nān þing (“nothing”, literally “not any thing”), equivalent to no + thing. Compare Old English nāwiht (“nothing”, literally “no thing”), Swedish ingenting (“nothing”, literally “not any thing, no thing”).