Nonsense

'nɑnsəns

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

Words or statements that have no meaning; something that is not true or does not make sense.

'nɑnsəns

nounnegativeBeginner
General

Words or ideas that have no meaning or make no sense.

The politician's speech was full of political nonsense.

💡 Simply: Nonsense is like when you say something silly or not true that doesn't make any sense at all. Like, 'The cat is flying to the moon!' It's fun to say nonsense sometimes!

👶 For kids: Silly words or ideas that don't make sense.

More Examples

2

I can't believe you actually took that article seriously; it was pure nonsense!

3

The child was repeating complete nonsense, but they seemed very pleased with themselves.

How It's Used

Everyday Conversation

"He rambled on for hours, and most of it was complete nonsense."

Literature

"Alice in Wonderland is full of delightful nonsense."

2

Absurd or foolish, lacking any sensible meaning.

'nɑnsəns

adjectivenegativemedium
General

Lacking sense; absurd

They were making nonsense claims about the company.

💡 Simply: If you say something is 'nonsense' as an adjective, it means it's silly and doesn't make any sense.

👶 For kids: Something that is silly and doesn't make any sense.

More Examples

2

The entire situation was nonsense, from start to finish.

3

Her arguments are complete nonsense.

How It's Used

informal speech

"That's a nonsense idea!"

Tip:When something is nonsensical, it doesn't follow the rules of logic, the 'sense'.

Idioms & expressions

talk nonsense

To say things that are not true or do not make sense.

"He was just talking nonsense all evening."

make a nonsense of something

To make something seem stupid or not important.

"They made a nonsense of the previous agreement."

From Middle English *nonsens*, from Old French *non sense* ('without sense').

The word 'nonsense' has been used since the 16th century to denote foolish or meaningless talk or behavior.

Memory tip

Imagine a nonsensical riddle: if the answer doesn't make sense, it's nonsense!

nonesensenon-sensenonsence

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written