nowt

[ nout ]

/ naʊt /

Save This Word!

noun, plural nowt.Scot. and North England.

an ox.

a herd of cattle.

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

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nowt

1150–1200; Middle English <Scandinavian; compare Old Norse naut,neat²

Words nearby nowt

nown, now-now, no wonder, now or never, it's, Nowruz, nowt, now that, nowty, nowy, now you're talking, Nox

Other definitions for nowt (2 of 2)

nowt²

[ noht ]

/ noʊt /

noun British Dialect.

naught; nothing.

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

How to use nowt in a sentence

I dunnot say for 'em to say nowt, but I do say for 'em not to be so dom'd free an' easy about it.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett
An' ses I, 'No I dunnot nowt o' th' soart, an' be dom'd to yo'.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett
"I'm tired o' doin' nowt but mope i' th' house," Liz fretted.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett
"That as I've towd thee is nowt to th' rest on it," answered Jud in enthusiasm.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett

"Theer's nowt to say," she added, rising, and preparing to go.
That Lass O' Lowrie's|Frances Hodgson Burnett

British Dictionary definitions for nowt (1 of 2)

nowt¹

/ (naʊt) /

noun

Northern English a dialect word for nothing

Word Origin for nowt

from naught

British Dictionary definitions for nowt (2 of 2)

nowt²

/ (naʊt) /

noun

Scot and Northern English a dialect word for bullock, cattle

Word Origin for nowt

C13: from Old Norse naut; see neat ²

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