nothingness

American  

[nuhth-ing-nis] / ˈnʌθ ɪŋ nɪs /

noun

1. the state of being nothing.

2. something that is nonexistent.

   a view of humanity as suspended between infinity and nothingness.

3. lack of being; nonexistence.

   The sound faded into nothingness.

4. unconsciousness or death.

   She remembered a dizzy feeling, then nothingness.

5. utter insignificance, emptiness, or worthlessness; triviality.

   The days followed one another in an endless procession of nothingness.

6. something insignificant or without value.

---

nothingness British  

/ ˈnʌθɪŋnɪs /

noun

1. the state or condition of being nothing; nonexistence

2. absence of consciousness or life

3. complete insignificance or worthlessness

4. something that is worthless or insignificant

---

Etymology

Origin of nothingness

First recorded in 1625–35; nothing + -ness

Example Sentences

The other kids had seen the nothingness outside their cave; they were ready for explanations, however far-fetched.

From Literature

Just a carefully curated exercise in nothingness, presented as importance.

From Salon

It was so sharp that it was impossible to focus his eyes on the tip: it seemed to vanish into nothingness.

From Literature

Kelson’s memento mori, in its way, adds dignity to what is otherwise a sentence to nothingness.

From Salon

It had been a performance impressive in its nothingness.

From Los Angeles Times