nothingness

American  

[nuhth-ing-nis] / ˈnʌθ ɪŋ nɪs /

noun

1. the state of being nothing.

2. something that is nonexistent.

   a view of humanity as suspended between infinity and nothingness.

3. lack of being; nonexistence.

   The sound faded into nothingness.

4. unconsciousness or death.

   She remembered a dizzy feeling, then nothingness.

5. utter insignificance, emptiness, or worthlessness; triviality.

   The days followed one another in an endless procession of nothingness.

6. something insignificant or without value.

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nothingness British  

/ ˈnʌθɪŋnɪs /

noun

1. the state or condition of being nothing; nonexistence

2. absence of consciousness or life

3. complete insignificance or worthlessness

4. something that is worthless or insignificant

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Etymology

Origin of nothingness

First recorded in 1625–35; nothing + -ness

Example Sentences

Hanna’s grief for Erik is the key to her art, but so is the nothingness he seems to have disappeared into.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Kelson’s memento mori, in its way, adds dignity to what is otherwise a sentence to nothingness.

From Salon • Jan. 23, 2026

Rambunctious and astute, the toddler heroine of the sublimely beautiful animated film “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” first communicates in voiceover from the void of nothingness before birth.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 7, 2025

Mr Hampshire said in his witness statement that there was "nothing to hide" in the exchanges between Andrew and Xi – and they were full of "top-level nothingness", such as birthday wishes.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2025

It was so sharp that it was impossible to focus his eyes on the tip: it seemed to vanish into nothingness.

From "Impossible Creatures" by Katherine Rundell