no-nonsense
Americanadjective
-
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
-
economical or utilitarian; practical.
a no-nonsense car that gets excellent gas mileage.
-
plain and simple; not fancy, complicated, or elegant.
no-nonsense recipes for easy preparation.
adjective
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."
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.
The 61-year-old federal judge, who originally hails from southern Texas, is known for her no-nonsense approach in the courtroom.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Actor James Tolkan, known for his role as the Hill Valley High principal in “Back to the Future” and the no-nonsense commanding officer in “Top Gun” has died.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
Alvin Hellerstein, the US judge overseeing the case against deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, is a no-nonsense 92-year-old with a long list of high-profile cases on his CV.
From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026
“This is the kind of no-nonsense, results-driven warfighting that America demands, and you’re delivering it in spades,” Hegseth said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026
In the classroom, they bent over workbooks or wore scared faces when Sister Beatrice, their beefy, no-nonsense teacher, scolded them for missing their homework.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
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.
