ex nihilo

American  

[eks nahy-uh-loh, nee-uh-] / ˌɛks ˈnaɪ əˌloʊ, ˈni ə- /

adverb

Latin.

1. out of nothing; from nothing.

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Etymology

Origin of ex nihilo

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin ex nihilō, equivalent to ex + nihilō (ablative singular of nihil “nothing”); ex- ¹ ( def. ), nil

Example Sentences

Wallen’s hours-long pity parties didn’t spring up ex nihilo.

From Salon

Finally, while this trend clearly skyrocketed during the pandemic, it didn’t emerge ex nihilo.

From New York Times

It was creatio ex nihilo, despite the Aristotelian ban on the vacuum.

From Literature

The Hilton was Europe’s first major modern hotel to be constructed ex nihilo after the war, built with glass, steel and White Portland cement from Germany, marble from Italy, aluminum windows, elevators and air-conditioning units from America.

From New York Times

The first was the problem of the creation of life from nonlife—genesis ex nihilo.

From Literature