nothing
gb/nˈʌθɪŋ/ us/nˈʌθɪŋ/
A1
English
~ 300
semmi, semmiség
A1
1
semmi
A1
Usage pattern:
[subject] is nothing
There’s nothing in the fridge for dinner.
Nincs semmi vacsorára való a hűtőben.
She said nothing during the meeting.
Nem mondott semmit a megbeszélésen.
Nothing can stop us now.
He has nothing to do this weekend.
It means nothing to me.
Learner examples
There is nothing in my bag.
Nincs semmi a táskámban.
I have nothing to eat.
Nincs mit ennem.
He said nothing to me.
She has nothing to wear.
We did nothing yesterday.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'nothing' with 'anything'. In negative sentences, 'nothing' replaces 'not...anything'. For example, 'I have nothing' is correct, not 'I don't have nothing'.
Meaning
not anything; no thing
Collocations
nothing at all
|absolutely nothing
|mean nothing
|for nothing
|nothing much
Synonyms
nil (More formal or technical, often used in sports or statistics.)
|
zero (Refers specifically to the number 0; can be figurative for 'nothing'.)
Antonyms
something (Refers to an unspecified thing, opposite of 'nothing'.)
Themes
daily life
|logic
|core_vocabulary
Definition
No thing; not anything at all.
Not any object, event, or amount; the absence of anything.
NOUN
B1
2
semmi
B1
Usage pattern:
the [state] of nothing
Philosophers have long debated whether true nothing exists.
A filozófusok régóta vitatják, hogy létezik-e a valódi semmi.
From nothing came everything, according to the myth.
A mítosz szerint a semmiből lett minden.
His efforts amounted to nothing.
Learner examples
The box was full of nothing.
A doboz üres volt.
He started with nothing and built a company.
A semmiből indult, és felépített egy céget.
Her work was for nothing.
Meaning
state of having no existence
Collocations
come to nothing
|turn into nothing
|from nothing
Synonyms
nonexistence (Formal term for the state of not existing.)
Antonyms
being (The state of existence, opposite of 'nothing'.)
Themes
philosophy
|logic
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The state of having no things or not existing at all.
The condition of not existing, or the absence of anything.
A2
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[subject] is nothing compared to [something]
Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious.
Ne aggódj, semmi komoly.
Their argument was over nothing.
Semmiség miatt vitatkoztak.
Compared to last year’s problems, this is nothing.
Learner examples
It’s nothing. Don’t worry.
Semmiség. Ne aggódj.
The fight was about nothing.
A veszekedés semmiség miatt tört ki.
This problem is nothing compared to yours.
Meaning
something unimportant or trivial
Collocations
it's nothing
|think nothing of it
Synonyms
triviality (More formal, refers to something insignificant.)
Antonyms
importance (Significance or value, opposite of 'nothing' in this sense.)
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that is not important.
Something that is not important or worth mentioning.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nothing
IPA
GB/nˈʌθɪŋ/
US/nˈʌθɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
noth - ing (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (noth)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nothing
- Plural: nothings
Word family
Forms
nothings
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
nothingness
noun
Expressions
for nothing
1/fɚ nˈʌθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
without payment or result
Without paying; or without getting any result.
Examples
- He fixed my car for nothing because we’re friends.
- I studied all night for nothing — the test was canceled.
make something out of nothing
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt əv nˈʌθɪŋ/
idiom
create from no resources or basis
To create something when you have almost no resources or reason.
Examples
- She made a successful business out of nothing.
- Don’t make a problem out of nothing.
next to nothing
1/nˈɛkst tə nˈʌθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
almost no amount or value
Almost no amount; very little.
Examples
- He bought the car for next to nothing.
- I know next to nothing about computers.
stop at nothing
1/stˈɑp ˈæt nˈʌθɪŋ/
idiom
do anything necessary to succeed
To be willing to do anything to get what you want.
Examples
- She will stop at nothing to win the competition.
- They stopped at nothing to protect their family.
nothing but
1/nˈʌθɪŋ bˈʌt/
fixed phrase
only that; no more or less
Only that thing and not anything else.
Examples
- He talks about nothing but football.
- It was nothing but a joke.
- They did nothing but argue all day.
- She eats nothing but vegetables.