nonsense

1 of 2

noun

non·​sense ˌnän-ˌsen(t)s How to pronounce nonsense (audio)
ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s
1
a
: words or language having no meaning or conveying no intelligible ideas
"And the mome raths outgrabe" is pure nonsense.
b(1)
: language, conduct, or an idea that is absurd or contrary to good sense
To regard the struggle for existence as tragic, however, is logical nonsense.O. B. Hardison, Jr.
(2)
: an instance of absurd action
Today's teenagers are … sharp observers of the nonsenses of adult life and society …Bernard Trafford
2
a
: things of no importance or value : trifles
the raincoats are classic, without any nonsenseNew Yorker
b
: affected or impudent conduct
took no nonsense from subordinates
The teacher tolerated no nonsense in her classroom.
3
: genetic information consisting of one or more codons that do not code for any amino acid and usually cause termination of the molecular chain in protein synthesis (see synthesis sense 1)
nonsensical adjective
nonsensically adverb
nonsensicalness noun

nonsense

2 of 2

adjective

1
: consisting of an arbitrary grouping of speech sounds or symbols
\ˈshrȯg-ˌthī-əmpth\ is a nonsense word
a nonsense syllable
2
: consisting of one or more codons that are genetic nonsense compare antisense, missense

Examples of nonsense in a Sentence

Noun I don't know why you believe that nonsense about certain numbers being unlucky. She thinks that astrology is nonsense. Don't listen to him. He's talking nonsense. He was not in the mood to put up with any nonsense from his little brother. If they start pushing each other or some such nonsense, send them to their rooms. She doesn't take any nonsense from anyone. Many of the words in the poem are nonsense. I understood so few of the words they were using that the conversation sounded like nonsense to me.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
While gamely trying to venture outside of her drama comfort zone, she as well as others unfortunately get stuck in the film’s web of nonsense. Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 Social media could be a business success even if its content was nonsense. Jaron Lanier, WIRED, 13 Feb. 2024 Further, the military was composed of a wide array of political nonsense of all stripes in the same year and long before. Luther Ray Abel, National Review, 9 Feb. 2024 Eat at one of the stylish food courts No high-end food hall nonsense here. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024 The former Wimbledon girls singles champion is happy to call out nonsense and venom in a moderate manner. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 Fox News can broadcast all sorts of nonsense about Dominion Voting Systems. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 19 Feb. 2024 The platform signalled parts of America want to listen to Putin’s nonsense, and enabled them to do so. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 12 Feb. 2024 In 1969, Monty Python's Flying Circus revolutionized sketch comedy with a bewildering mix of surreal satire, witty wordplay, and beguiling nonsense. Danny Horn, EW.com, 24 Jan. 2024
Adjective
Loretta’s bodice rippers are nonsense. Amy Nicholson, WSJ, 24 Mar. 2022 The ragtag squad includes a non-nonsense barbarian (Michelle Rodriguez), an insecure fledgling sorcerer (Justice Smith), a shapeshifting druid (Sophia Lillis), and a solemn, unflappable paladin (Regé-Jean Page). A.a. Dowd, Chron, 11 Mar. 2023 This word is overused and seemingly nonsense, especially when there's no sincerity and the answer isn’t backed up with the importance of your role. Expert Panel, Forbes, 18 July 2022 People take these non-drugs, spending billions -- billions -- of dollars on what is provably nonsense. Phil Plait, Discover Magazine, 5 Feb. 2011 Researchers delighted in getting Galactica to write nonsense academic papers and posting the results on Twitter. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 22 Nov. 2022 The Newsom administration asserts that speculation about production rollbacks and gas shortages is nonsense. George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2022 Charms might use nonsense words for the same effect. John Last, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Oct. 2022 The idea that, under the leadership of the reassuringly dull Keir Starmer, Labour can be trusted is nonsense, as, incidentally, is the notion that the Tories would be improved by a period in the wilderness. The Editors, National Review, 21 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonsense.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

circa 1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonsense was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near nonsense

Cite this Entry

“Nonsense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonsense. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

nonsense

noun
non·​sense
ˈnän-ˌsen(t)s,
ˈnän(t)-sən(t)s
1
: foolish or meaningless words or actions
2
: things of no importance or value
nonsensical
(ˈ)nän-ˈsen(t)-si-kəl
adjective
nonsensically
-k(ə-)lē
adverb
nonsensicalness
-kəl-nəs
noun

Medical Definition

nonsense

1 of 2 noun
: genetic information consisting of one or more codons that do not code for any amino acid and usually cause termination of the molecular chain in protein synthesis compare antisense, missense

nonsense

2 of 2 adjective
: consisting of one or more codons that are genetic nonsense
nonsense mutations

More from Merriam-Webster on nonsense

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