nonentity

[ non-en-ti-tee ]

noun

, plural non·en·ti·ties.

1. a person or thing of no importance.

   Synonyms: nullity, zero, mediocrity, cipher, nobody

2. something that does not exist or exists only in imagination.
3. nonexistence.

nonentity

/ ˌnɒnˈɛntɪtɪ /

noun

1. an insignificant person or thing
2. a nonexistent thing
3. the state of not existing; nonexistence

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonentity¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; non- + entity

Example Sentences

Her husband is a nonentity who barely speaks, which is perhaps why he doesn’t appear in any of the Disney adaptations.

From Vox

Fact: Talk radio remained a nonentity when it came to fundraising for candidates.

From The Daily Beast

An indolent blonde, fond of dancing, but a nonentity from both the moral and the intellectual standpoints.

From Project Gutenberg

Led astray by party spirit, the ministers sent Admiral Pigot, a mere nonentity, to supersede Rodney.

From Project Gutenberg

Olybrius, the then reigning nonentity, died in October of the same year.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the name of a nonentity, and has no right to a place among first principles.

From Project Gutenberg

The truth seems to be that as soon as Boccaccio was separated from life he became a nonentity.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cipher