nullity

noun

nul·​li·​ty ˈnə-lə-tē 

plural nullities

1

a

: the quality or state of being null

especially : legal invalidity

b(1)

: nothingness

also : insignificance

(2)

: a mere nothing : nonentity

2

: one that is null

specifically : an act void of legal effect

3

: the number of elements in a basis of a null-space

Did you know?

Intellectuals may speak of a book or a film as a nullity, claiming it possesses nothing original enough to justify its existence. Legal scholars also use the word; a law passed by a legislature may be called a nullity if, for example, it's so obviously unconstitutional that it's going to be shot down by the courts in no time. And if you're in an unkind mood, you're also free to call a person a nullity, if you're not instead calling him a nobody, a nonentity, or a zero.

Synonyms

• cipher
• nobody
• dwarf
• lightweight
• insect
• nonentity
• nothing

Examples of nullity in a Sentence

that tiny country's ambassador from the U.S. is usually some nullity who happens to be a friend or supporter of the current president

one of the basic themes of the theater of the absurd is the essential nullity of human existence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Swiss architectural firm Herzog & de Meuron won a design competition to transform the Bankside Power Station, a gargantuan nullity on the south (read: wrong) side of the Thames. —Jason Farago, New York Times, 8 May 2025

Even this extended deadline, however, has itself been rendered a nullity by the Fifth Circuit. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

If death metal is more fatalistic, more depressive — though not necessarily nihilistic — black metal, at least early on, was more interested in examining evil and proclaiming the nullity of certain values, including musical values. —Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 30 Mar. 2025

Conversely, if the TCJA overrides the analysis set forth in the revenue procedure, the TCJA would govern, rendering Rev. Proc. 2009-20 a nullity. —Matthew Roberts, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025

Even this extended deadline, however, has itself been rendered a nullity by the Fifth Circuit. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024

Journal Editorial Report: How to make Congress a nullity. —Giovanni Caforio, WSJ, 29 Aug. 2023

Journal Editorial Report: How to make Congress a nullity. —John J. Faso, WSJ, 11 Aug. 2023

The thousands of votes already cast and those to be cast on Aug. 8, 2023, for mayoral candidates would be a nullity. —Christina Hall, Detroit Free Press, 7 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Legal Definition

nullity

noun

nul·​li·​ty ˈnə-lə-tē 

plural nullities

1

: the quality or state of being null

2

: an act, proceeding, or contract void of legal effect compare impediment

— absolute nullity

in the civil law of Louisiana : a contract or act considered void by virtue of a transgression of the public order, interest, law, or morals

a bigamous marriage is an absolute nullity

—Louisiana Civil Code

also : the quality or state of such a nullity

Note: A marriage that is an absolute nullity does not have to be annulled to terminate its legal effects (as property rights).

— relative nullity

in the civil law of Louisiana : a nullity that can be cured by confirmation because the object involved is considered valid

also : the quality or state of such a nullity

Note: A contract that is a relative nullity may be annulled and the parties restored to their original positions. A marriage that is a relative nullity must be annulled to terminate the legal effects (as property rights) of the marriage.