nowt

¹ American  

[nout] / naʊt /

noun

Scot. and North England.

plural

nowt

1. an ox.

2. a herd of cattle.

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nowt ² American  

[noht] / noʊt /

noun

British Dialect.

1. naught; nothing.

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nowt ¹ British  

/ naʊt /

noun

1. a dialect word for nothing

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nowt ² British  

/ naʊt /

noun

1. a dialect word for bullock cattle

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Etymology

Origin of nowt

1150–1200; Middle English < Scandinavian; compare Old Norse naut, neat ²

Example Sentences

"If in doubt, say nowt" is how you might colloquially describe the approach, resisting the temptation to be drawn into commentary about the president's actions for fear of provoking a blast of his ire.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2025

But for U.S. fans of “Happy Valley,” which returns May 22 on AMC+, BBC America and Acorn TV, it is, as they would say in the north of England, nowt.

From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2023

Steve McClaren isn’t to be outdone: he’s made eight swaps himself from the team unfortunate to come away from Newcastle United last weekend with nowt.

From The Guardian • Feb. 8, 2017

And then the same again a couple of balls later; I can’t see anything that might be causing it and there’s nowt on UltraEdge, so that’s weird.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2015

ThouTt take the best son of a mare that thee kinst find, and thou wilt ride post into Warwickshire, lad, wi’ nowt but the curlew?”

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White