nil

noun

ˈnil 

: nothing, zero

nil adjective

Synonyms of nil

• zero
• nothing

Examples of nil in a Sentence

They took a 2 to nil lead in the second half of the game.

the difference in the audio performance of those two CD players is nil

Recent Examples on the Web

Another stunner was Brentford’s 3-nil win over Tottenham Hotspur. — Greg Cote august 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026

Four-nil down at half-time, Mbappe started a ridiculous comeback. — James Horncastle, New York Times, 19 July 2026

As for the nil-nil draw between Curaçao and Ecuador, three days later, no doubt every sweating tackle will be etched into the consciousness of the seventy thousand spectators who packed into Kansas City Stadium. — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 17 July 2026

Even worse was Paraguay and Australia, a pair of flawed teams playing to nil-nil in the last group match, knowing a tie sent both through to the knockout stage. — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin, nothing, contraction of nihil, from Old Latin nihilum, from ne- not + hilum trifle — more at no

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nil

• bill
• brill
• chill
• drill
• fil
• fill
• frill
• gill
• grill
• grille
• jill
• kill

Kids Definition

nil

noun

ˈnil 

: nothing at all : zero

nil adjective