nonsense

The word “nonsense” means words, ideas, or behavior that make no sense or have no logical meaning. In plain terms, something that's silly, illogical, or simply untrue.

“Nonsense” is pronounced NON-suhns (/ˈnɑn.sɛns/ in IPA).

Here is “nonsense” used in a sentence: “He was talking complete nonsense after staying up all night.”

Words with a similar meaning to “nonsense” include all my eye, all my eye and Betty Martin, applesauce, bafflegab, balderdash and balls.

“Nonsense” is a noun.

The word “nonsense” dates back to around 1610. From non- ("no, not") plus sense, coined around the 1610s.

“Nonsense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Nonsense” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: words, ideas, or behavior that make no sense or have no logical meaning.

'Nonsense' is language, ideas, or behavior that has no logical meaning or makes no sense. 'Gibberish' more specifically means speech or writing that is unintelligible, sounding like meaningless strings of words or sounds.

'Nonsense' is normally an uncountable noun, so you say 'that is nonsense,' not 'a nonsense.' In some informal British usage 'a nonsense' does appear, as in 'it made a nonsense of the plan,' but the uncountable form is standard.

Both can mean foolish or meaningless talk, as in 'that's nonsense' or 'that's rubbish.' The difference is that 'rubbish,' chiefly British, can also mean literal trash, while 'nonsense' refers only to a lack of sense or meaning.

Nonsense literature is a playful, absurd style of writing or poetry that deliberately defies logic and ordinary meaning. It often uses invented words, silly situations, and wordplay for comic or whimsical effect, as in limericks and nonsense verse.