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

Examples of naught in a Sentence

Noun

my locker number is naught-seven-two

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But these will come to naught unless the government can see them clearly—and find the strength to take advantage of them. —Robert M. Danin, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2016

Scientists use a metric called the basic reproduction number or reproduction value — referred to as R0 and pronounced R naught — to rate how transmissible or contagious a disease is. —Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Aug. 2021

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

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

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