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Synonyms

no-nonsense

American  
[noh-non-sens, -suhns] / ˈnoʊˈnɒn sɛns, -səns /

adjective

  1. not tolerating anything frivolous or trifling; firm and businesslike.

    a no-nonsense approach to money matters; a no-nonsense teacher with well-behaved classes.
    Synonyms:
    purposeful, resolute, diligent, earnest

  2. economical or utilitarian; practical.

    a no-nonsense car that gets excellent gas mileage.

  3. plain and simple; not fancy, complicated, or elegant.

    no-nonsense recipes for easy preparation.
no-nonsense British  
/ ˌnəʊˈnɒnsəns /

adjective

  1. sensible, practical, straightforward; without nonsense of any kind

    a businesslike no-nonsense approach

    a severe no-nonsense look
"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

Etymology

Origin of no-nonsense

First recorded in 1925–30

Explanation

Someone who's no-nonsense is very efficient and businesslike. If you're extremely practical and don't see the point of wasting time, you're no-nonsense. Some teachers like to joke around with students, while others are much stricter than that — they are stern and no-nonsense. A brand new English teacher might resolve to start using more no-nonsense techniques in the classroom if he realizes his class isn't getting quite enough accomplished. The adjective no-nonsense was first used in 1920s sporting slang, originally in the phrase "to stand to no nonsense."

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But the potential upside was that her no-nonsense approach would prove a welcome contrast, particularly as the party had announced that the focus of her address would be affordability.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

The no-nonsense police statement is a bluntly worded news earthquake: "The man remains in police custody at this time."

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2026

A sport for decades associated with no-nonsense jocks has in recent years encouraged its stars' newfound obsession with attire as a way to capture new fans beyond the sport's traditional base.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

Some posts commended his steady demeanor and no-nonsense delivery, others complimented his appearance and a few attached doctored images and videos of him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 13, 2026

Windbreaker jacket, a short, no-nonsense haircut, relaxed movements.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.