aught
13 synonyms and 1 antonym for aught, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Pron — Anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word).
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. pron
Anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word).
“If aught should happen to me, see that the farm goes to my son.”
Opposites
Etymology
From Old English awiht, a compound of a- ("ever") and wiht ("thing, creature") — literally "any thing."
Full origin of aught →Frequently asked questions
What does “aught” mean?
The word “aught” means anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word). In plain terms, an old word for "anything," or an old way of saying "zero" in a date or year.
How do you pronounce “aught”?
“Aught” is pronounced awt (/ɔt/ in IPA).
How do you use “aught” in a sentence?
Here is “aught” used in a sentence: “If aught should happen to me, see that the farm goes to my son.”
What part of speech is “aught”?
Depending on how it is used, “aught” can be a pronoun and a noun.
Where does the word “aught” come from?
The word “aught” comes from Old English. From Old English awiht, a compound of a- ("ever") and wiht ("thing, creature") — literally "any thing.".
How many meanings does “aught” have?
“Aught” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word).
