nil

[ nil ]

/ nɪl /

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See synonyms for: nil / nils on Thesaurus.com

noun

nothing; naught; zero.

adjective

having no value or existence: His credit rating is nil.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

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Origin of nil

1805–15; <Latin nīl, variant (by apocope) of nīlum, contraction of nihilum nothing, equivalent to ni (variant of ne not) + hīlum trifle

Words nearby nil

Nikolayev, Nikolsky's sign, Nikon, Nikopol, niksen, nil, nil admirari, nil desperandum, Nile, Nile blue, Nile crocodile

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use nil in a sentence

The chances of an e-commerce company whose entire business hinges on being fast willingly choosing to be slower are of course close to nil.
This company delivers packages faster than Amazon, but workers pay the price|Max S. Kim|June 9, 2021|MIT Technology Review
Shower chances are almost nil with the best chance on Monday as cooler air tries to sneak in from the north.
D.C.-area forecast: Heat settles in with plenty of sun and minimal shower chances|David Streit|May 20, 2021|Washington Post
We’re now through Matchweek 27 of the Leeds United Experience, and despite nil results in the club’s last two matches, the goals — at both ends — have barely slowed down.
Leeds United Is Scoring (And Getting Scored On) Like Nobody Else In The Premier League|Nicholas Som|March 10, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
Senate Democrats’ chances to flip the Senate have been close to nil all week.
What are the odds of Democratic wins in the Georgia runoffs?|Amber Phillips|November 6, 2020|Washington Post

If you select those at lowest risk, the remaining risk is not nil, but it is very low indeed.
Some Volunteers Want To Be Infected With Coronavirus To Help Find A Vaccine. But It Isn’t That Simple.|Kaleigh Rogers (kaleigh.rogers@fivethirtyeight.com)|August 6, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
They knew that as much as they tried to make up for it with brute force, their cultural power was nil.
Of Gamers, Gates, and Disco Demolition: The Roots of Reactionary Rage|Arthur Chu|October 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
USA had four points (three for a win over Ghana, one for the draw with Portugal, nil for Thursday's defeat).
Why It’s Still OK to Hate Sexy Bastard Cristiano Ronaldo After He Saved Team USA|Emily Shire|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The England team, already out of fo the tournament, drew nil-nil against Costa Rica.
Prince Harry Grimaces As Miserable England Fail Again|Tom Sykes|June 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The chances of even the most “conscious” rap creating a return to the Great Society were nil.
How Barack and Michelle Have Normalized Black Prominence|John McWhorter|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So the chances of a formal diplomatic meeting between Obama and Rouhani are virtually nil.
Up to Speed: 3 Things to Know About New York’s ‘Hell Week’|Christopher Dickey|September 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
They absolutely revel in the most voluptuous indulgence of the nil admirari.
The British Expedition to the Crimea|William Howard Russell
The effect of this great verdict, which was hailed with public dinners and illuminations, was absolutely nil.
The Influence and Development of English Gilds|Francis Aiden Hibbert
He proceeds on the de mortuis nil nisi bonum principle, which I venture to suggest is a very bad principle.
Frederick Chopin as a Man and Musician|Frederick Niecks
Its philosophic value is not great, its scientific utility is nil.
Theism or Atheism|Chapman Cohen
But I shall make no reference to Mars; my interest in that is almost nil.
Radio Boys Loyalty|Wayne Whipple

British Dictionary definitions for nil

nil

/ (nɪl) /

noun

another word for nothing: used esp in the scoring of certain games

Word Origin for nil

C19: from Latin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012