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nothingness
/ˈnʌθɪŋnəs/
the state of being empty or nonexistent
The vast emptiness of space filled him with a sense of nothingness.
The absence of matter or meaning in space made him feel insignificant.
formal
the state of being nothing or having no existence
After the loss of his loved one, he felt a profound nothingness.
He experienced deep emptiness and meaninglessness after the loss.
Often used in philosophical or existential contexts to describe a lack of meaning or substance.
literary
a state of emptiness or void
The room was filled with a chilling nothingness that made her shiver.
The room felt eerily empty and devoid of warmth or presence.
Commonly used in literature to evoke a sense of desolation or absence.
Collocations
sense of nothingnessa feeling of emptiness or insignificanceprofound nothingnessa deep and overwhelming sense of emptiness
Pro Tip
Philosophical Context
In philosophy, 'nothingness' is often discussed in relation to existentialism and the meaning of life.
Word Origin
Derived from 'nothing' + '-ness' (suffix forming abstract nouns), first recorded in the late 14th century.
Usage Notes
Often used in philosophical, existential, or literary contexts to describe a lack of meaning, substance, or presence.
Word Breakdown
nothing
the absence of anything
root-ness
a state or quality
suffixEnglish Dictionary