nonsense

Everyday

1. Nonsense is words or ideas that are silly, untrue or have no meaning. tree →
2. Nonsense is also silly or annoying behaviour, as in "Stop this nonsense!". tree →
3. "Nonsense!" is said to disagree strongly with something. tree →
4. Nonsense words and nonsense poems are made up for fun and do not have real meanings. tree →

In the lessons

In reading lessons children read nonsense words (like "blim" or "zort") to practise phonics, and enjoy nonsense poems by Edward Lear and Lewis Carroll. In everyday life a parent may say "That's nonsense" to calm a fear or reject an excuse. In science, a claim with no evidence may be called nonsense. Phrases: "talk nonsense", "utter nonsense", "stuff and nonsense", "no-nonsense", "make nonsense of".

Examples

• Don't talk nonsense — monsters don't live under your bed. tree →
• "Jabberwocky" is a famous nonsense poem. tree →
• In phonics we read nonsense words like "plim" and "groft". tree →
• "I'm too old to play." "Nonsense! Come and join in." tree →
• That's enough of this nonsense; sit down, please. tree →
• The idea that goldfish remember only three seconds is nonsense. tree →
• Our coach is a no-nonsense woman who expects hard work. tree →
• 'My friend, you are talking nonsense. tree →

Note

Uncountable: "a lot of nonsense", not "a nonsense" (though British people sometimes say "it makes a nonsense of the rules"). "No-nonsense" is an adjective meaning practical and strict. Similar words: rubbish (UK), rot, baloney (US, informal), codswallop (UK, informal), crap (rude).