Nought

Nought is a word primarily used in British English, and refers to the numerical value of zero (0). It represents the absence of quantity or magnitude. It can also be used in a figurative sense to mean nothing, or a lack of importance or value. nought signifies the point from which other numerical values or calculations originate, and is crucial in mathematics and various systems of measurement. The concept of nought is fundamental in many philosophical and scientific discussions. Furthermore, the term can also be used more poetically or figuratively, symbolizing a state of insignificance, futility, or the void.

Nought meaning with examples

• The thermometer reading plummeted to nought overnight, signaling a severe frost. Despite the warnings, the gardeners forgot to cover their plants. It turned out, the weather person was right; there was nothing left when they checked this morning. The gardens were completely destroyed; there was no hope, all their hard work was brought to nought.
• After hours of intense debate, the negotiations ultimately came to nought, as neither side was willing to compromise on their core demands. This left everyone involved very angry and a bit disappointed. It was a very disappointing day at work. There was no progress and all our hopes to reach a compromise were brought to nought.
• The ambitious project, launched with grand fanfare, ended up achieving nought, consumed by endless bureaucratic delays. The company lost a huge amount of money. It would have been better if they did nothing at all, they got absolutely nothing for the investment. All the hard work went for nought, it was a complete and utter failure.
• In a game of darts, if a player misses the board entirely, their score for that throw is recorded as nought. It is a good idea to be precise when throwing. The points add up and the game is all about getting as close to zero. The players had brought the game to nought because they were unable to score any points.