nil
UK/nil/US
IELTSGREC1
Definitions
n.
Nothing; zero — especially as a score in British sport or in formal statements of quantity.
零；无——尤用作英式比分或正式语境中的数量。
Root Breakdown
Root-derived=nil
nil is Latin nihil ('nothing') worn down over centuries to a single syllable. The middle of the word eroded with use, leaving just the bare meaning: zero.
Root nihil still carries 4 more wordsWhy It Means This
nil is mostly British and a bit formal. Americans usually say 'zero' or 'nothing,' but everyone recognizes nil in sports scores and risk/probability statements.
Common Collocations
- 1.virtually nil几乎为零
- 2.essentially nil基本为零
- 3.two-nil二比零
Example Sentences
- 1.
Our team won the match three-nil last Saturday.
- 2.
The chances of rain today are virtually nil.
- 3.
After paying the rent, his savings were reduced to nil.