naught

1 of 2

pronoun

ˈnȯt How to pronounce naught (audio) ˈnät How to pronounce naught (audio)
variants or less commonly nought
Synonyms of naughtnext
: nothing
Their efforts came to naught.
It was all for naught.

naught

2 of 2

noun

variants or less commonly nought
1
: nothingness, nonexistence
2
: the arithmetical symbol 0 : zero, cipher

Synonyms of naught

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Noun

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Examples of naught in a Sentence

Noun my locker number is naught-seven-two
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
All of that speculation was for naught. — Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 May 2026 And even this little positive movement might be for naught once William is king. — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Apr. 2026 Though there is still no fix for the mutation, the subsequent research spawned by the work of Fraumeni, Li, and other pioneers hasn’t been for naught. — Lawrence Ingrassia, STAT, 26 June 2026 Hernandez’s second double of the game (and one of his nine hits in his past 20 at-bats) came with one out in the fourth and went for naught when Rushing and Kim struck out. — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for naught

Word History

Etymology

Pronoun and Noun

Middle English nought, from Old English nāwiht, from nā no + wiht creature, thing — more at no, wight

First Known Use

Pronoun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of naught was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing naught

Rhymes for naught

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Browse Nearby Words

nauger
naught
naughtily
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Cite this Entry

“Naught.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naught. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

naught

1 of 2 pronoun
variants also nought
ˈnȯt, 
ˈnät
: nothing entry 1 sense 2
their efforts came to naught

naught

2 of 2 noun
variants also nought
1
: the quality or state of being nothing : nonexistence
2
: zero entry 1 sense 1 see number

More from Merriam-Webster on naught

Nglish: Translation of naught for Spanish Speakers

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