nun

1 of 2

noun (1)

ˈnən How to pronounce nun (audio)
Synonyms of nunnext
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience
nunlike
ˈnən-ˌlīk How to pronounce nun (audio)
adjective

nun

2 of 2

noun (2)

ˈnu̇n How to pronounce nun (audio)
: the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet see Alphabet Table

Examples of nun in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
Another at the same party went as Rihanna as a nun for an Interview magazine cover. — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 28 Oct. 2026 My white grandmother gave her baby the French name Maurice out of gratitude to the doctor and nuns who delivered him. — Literary Hub, 26 Oct. 2026 Either way, the thought of two women, on a date, watching a nun want too much — and enjoying themselves immensely — feels like heaven. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 26 Oct. 2026 In the shadows of the Catholic church, nuns and women have long endured abuse at the hands of priests — insidious and tactful grooming, silenced by confession, and hidden through systemic cover-ups. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nun

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English nunne, from Late Latin nonna

Noun (2)

Hebrew nūn

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

circa 1567, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for nun

See All Rhymes for nun

Browse Nearby Words

numskull
nun
nun's veiling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nun. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nun

noun
ˈnən
: a woman belonging to a religious order
especially : one living under solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience

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