Nothing Meaning, Examples and Common Usage

Meaning 1：not anything (nothing)

nothing 🔊

/ˈnʌθɪŋ/

It means not anything, no single thing at all.

Empty wooden table with nothing on it, illustrating nothing meaning

not anything 🔊

➕

/nɒt ˈɛn.i.θɪŋ/

Refers to the absence of any object, item, or idea. It indicates a complete lack of something.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Old English 'nān þing' (no thing), later merged into 'nothing'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'no thing' — if there is no thing, there is nothing.

📖 Example

I checked the cupboard, but there was nothing left for breakfast. 🔊 I checked the cupboard, but there was nothing left for breakfast.

🔗 Collocations

nothing else – no other thing; no additional item

nothing but – only; exclusively

nothing special – not remarkable; ordinary

🔄 Synonyms

zero (n.) – The numeral 0; a complete lack of quantity.

nil (n.) – Nothing; zero, especially in scores or statistics.

null (n.) – A value representing nothing, often used in computing or mathematics.

🚫 Antonyms

something (n.) – An unspecified thing or entity; the opposite of nothing.

everything (n.) – All things; a complete set of items.

anything (n.) – Any one thing of any kind; implies possibility rather than absence.

🌱 Derivatives

nothingness (n.) – The state of being nothing; nonexistence.

nothingarian (n.) – A person who holds no particular beliefs or opinions.

📖 Cultural Story

From Old English 'nān þing' meaning 'no thing'. It underwent contraction in Middle English to 'nothing'. A core concept in philosophy and everyday language.