pron
aught
awt
Aught (pron) means anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word). Example: “If aught should happen to me, see that the farm goes to my son.”
pron
1
Anything at all (an old-fashioned or literary word).
"If aught should happen to me, see that the farm goes to my son."
noun
1
Zero; the digit 0 (an old-fashioned way of naming it, as in "nineteen aught six").
"The house was built in aught six."
How to use aught
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old word for "anything," or an old way of saying "zero" in a date or year.
When to use it
Mostly archaic or dialectal today; you'll meet it in older literature or folksy speech rather than everyday conversation.
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Word forms
- Plural
- aughts
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If _____ should happen to me, see that the farm goes to my son.
Etymology
From Old English awiht, a compound of a- ("ever") and wiht ("thing, creature") — literally "any thing."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for aught
See all rhymes for 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).
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