Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

nil

/nɪl/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.33 in modern English

Syllables
nil
IPA
/nɪl/
3
Scrabble Score
3
Letters
1
Syllables
3
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Nothing; zero.

Uncountable

noun

A score of zero

Uncountable

det

No, not any.

noun

Initialism of nanoimprint lithography.

Uncountable

noun

Initialism of name, image, and likeness.

Canadian usage; American usage; Uncountable

Example Sentences

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin nīl, a contraction of nihil, nihilum (“nothing”). See nihilism, nihility.

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Homonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce nil?
The recorded pronunciation is /nɪl/.
What does nil mean?
Nothing; zero.
Where does nil come from?
Borrowed from Latin nīl, a contraction of nihil, nihilum (“nothing”). See nihilism, nihility.

How to pronounce nil

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “nil”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/nɪl/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “nil”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “nil” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.