nowhere

1 of 3

adverb

no·​where ˈnō-ˌ(h)wer 

-(h)wər

1

: not in or at any place

The book is nowhere to be found.

2

: to no place

I've gotten nowhere with my research.

Arguing will get us nowhere.

3

: not at all : not to the least extent

—usually used with near

nowhere near as serious

nowhere near enough

nowhere

2 of 3

noun

1

: a nonexistent place

2

: an unknown, distant, or obscure place or state

rose to fame out of nowhere

nowhere

3 of 3

adjective

: of or relating to a remote or relatively unknown location

a nowhere town

Phrases

miles from nowhere

: in an extremely remote place

Synonyms

Noun

• boondocks
• boonies [slang]
• country
• countryside
• sticks

Examples of nowhere in a Sentence

Adverb

I have nowhere to go.

Nowhere is there more of a population problem than in this city.

Noun

from the looks of things, we're stranded in nowhere and most likely its proverbial middle

in a few short years he rose out of nowhere to prominence in the tech industry

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

And then, out of nowhere, a character rides in on horseback. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 27 Apr. 2024

But Titus’s awed responses to bravery and sacrifice are not grounded in narrative — and his native song (of peace or aggression?) comes out of nowhere. —Armond White, National Review, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1889, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nowhere

• come out of nowhere
• flattery will get you nowhere
• from nowhere
• From out of nowhere
• get nowhere
• going/getting nowhere fast
• going nowhere fast
• go nowhere
• in the middle of nowhere
• is nowhere to be found
• lead nowhere
• middle of nowhere
• miles from nowhere
• nowhere near
• nowhere to be found
• out of nowhere

Kids Definition

nowhere

1 of 2 adverb

no·​where ˈnō-ˌhwe(ə)r 

-ˌwe(ə)r,

-ˌhwa(ə)r,

-ˌwa(ə)r,

-hwər,

-wər

1

: not in or at any place

2

: to no place

3

: not at all : not to the least extent

—usually used with near

nowhere near enough

nowhere

2 of 2 noun

: a place that does not exist

sounds seeming to come from nowhere