naught

1 of 2

pronoun

ˈnȯt  ˈnät 

variants or less commonly nought

: nothing

Their efforts came to naught.

It was all for naught.

naught

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly nought

1

: nothingness, nonexistence

2

: the arithmetical symbol 0 : zero, cipher

Synonyms

Noun

• aught
• cipher
• goose egg
• nil
• nothing
• o
• oh
• zero
• zilch
• zip

Example Sentences

Noun

my locker number is naught-seven-two

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Particularly since quality dialogue is not a strength here, the performers can do naught but try to keep a straight face, some under heavy layers of creature latex. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 12 Jan. 2023

So who is to credit (or perhaps, to blame) for Hanna's ability to crush faces with naught but her hands and an emotionless grimace? —Kyle Munkittrick, Discover Magazine, 14 Apr. 2011

What becomes apparent, for example, is that Johnson, Caro, and Gottlieb suffered deeply from the chiding of their furious fathers, who reckoned that their sons would come to naught, and who have since been proved magnificently wrong. —Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 6 Jan. 2023

But months of tryouts in the lab and driving attempts on Mars come to naught. —Aline Reynolds, Discover Magazine, 19 Feb. 2010

There is a nonzero chance that Trump’s bid to reclaim the throne will come to naught. —Jason Linkins, The New Republic, 3 Dec. 2022

He’s also finally asked (or forced, rather) to leave Khazad-dûm with naught to show for it, which is sure to displease High King Gil-galad. —Michael Nordine, Variety, 6 Oct. 2022

Microsoft has revealed a vulnerability in TikTok's mobile apps for Android that hackers could have exploited to gain control over someone's account with naught but a single click. —Nathaniel Mott, PCMAG, 1 Sep. 2022

An impressive start by Sam Ehlinger ended up going for naught. —The Indianapolis Star, 30 Oct. 2022

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Word History

Etymology

Pronoun and Noun

Middle English nought, from Old English nāwiht, from nā no + wiht creature, thing — more at no, wight

First Known Use

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

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

Phrases Containing naught

• all for naught
• come to naught
• go for naught

• all for naught
• come to naught
• go for naught

Kids Definition

naught

1 of 2 pronoun

variants also nought

ˈnȯt,

ˈnät

: nothing entry 1 sense 2

their efforts came to naught

naught

2 of 2 noun

variants also nought

1

: the quality or state of being nothing : nonexistence

2

: zero entry 1 sense 1 see number