naught

1 of 2

pronoun

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
2
: the arithmetical symbol 0 : zero, cipher

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 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'naught.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun and Noun

Middle English nought, from Old English nāwiht, from 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of naught was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near naught

Cite this Entry

“Naught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naught. Accessed 23 Mar. 2023.

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

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