nonentity

noun

non·​en·​ti·​ty ˌnän-ˈen-tə-tē How to pronounce nonentity (audio)
-ˈe-nə-
1
: something that does not exist or exists only in the imagination
2
3
: a person or thing of little consequence or significance

Examples of nonentity in a Sentence

the arctic circle is a nonentity—you won't see it on the way to the north pole was so quiet he was almost a nonentity at the meeting
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Shawn is played by out actor Rafael L. Silva, but the character’s sexuality is only noted in passing, and his relationship with his boyfriend is a nonentity. Ashley Spencer, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 Nic is still irritating, and Belle-A is still a nonentity (RIP). Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 11 June 2025 Pressed on one side by hard-liners and on the other by opponents of the Islamic Republic, the regime’s centrists and reformists had become political nonentities. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025 Pressed on one side by hard-liners and on the other by opponents of the Islamic Republic, the regime’s centrists and reformists had become political nonentities. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonentity

Word History

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonentity was in 1604

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Cite this Entry

“Nonentity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonentity. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

nonentity

noun
non·​en·​ti·​ty nä-ˈnen(t)-ət-ē How to pronounce nonentity (audio)
plural nonentities
1
: something that does not exist or exists only in the imagination
2
: a person of no importance

More from Merriam-Webster on nonentity

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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