nil
13 synonyms for nil, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Nothing at all; zero.
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.
How to use nil
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
nil by mouth
win two-nil
chances are nil
Etymology
From Latin nīl, itself a shortening of nihil ("nothing") — the same root that gives us nihilism.
Full origin of nil →Frequently asked questions
What does “nil” mean?
The word “nil” means nothing at all; zero. In plain terms, nothing, zero — used both generally and as a sports score.
How do you pronounce “nil”?
“Nil” is pronounced nihl (/nɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “nil” in a sentence?
Here is “nil” used in a sentence: “Her chances of success were nil.”
What part of speech is “nil”?
“Nil” is a noun.
Where does the word “nil” come from?
The word “nil” comes from Latin. From Latin nīl, itself a shortening of nihil ("nothing") — the same root that gives us nihilism.
Is “nil” a common word?
“Nil” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nil” have?
“Nil” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: nothing at all; zero.
