aught
C2 / Rare / ArchaicArchaic, formal, or technical (firearms). Predominantly literary or historical in modern use.
Definition
Meaning
the digit zero (0); nothing
anything at all; the slightest amount; a cipher or nought; used historically in the phrases 'for aught I know/care' meaning 'for all I know/care', and 'thirty-aught-six' (a caliber designation in firearms)
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Core meaning of 'zero' is most common in American English in technical or dated contexts (e.g., 'aught-three' for .03). In British English, it's almost exclusively archaic/literary for 'anything'. The phrase 'for aught I know' is a fossilized remnant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'aught' is recognized (though dated) for 'zero', especially in discussing calibers ('thirty-aught-six') or decades ('aughts' for 2000-2009). In British English, this zero sense is virtually obsolete; 'nought' or 'zero' is used. The 'anything' sense is archaic in both, but slightly more recognizable in BrE due to literary tradition.
Connotations
Conveys an old-fashioned, sometimes poetic or legalistic tone. In AmE technical use (firearms), it is standard jargon with no archaic feel.
Frequency
Extremely low in everyday conversation. Higher frequency in historical texts, poetry, and specific AmE technical fields.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
for aught [Subject] [Verb] (e.g., for aught I know)[Verb] aught (archaic, e.g., He cares not aught)aught but + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “for aught I know/care”
- “come to aught (archaic: come to nothing)”
- “set at aught (archaic: regard as worthless)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical/literary analysis discussing older texts.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Possibly heard in AmE 'aughts' for the 2000s decade.
Technical
In American firearms terminology: '.30-aught-six' (.30-06 Springfield rifle cartridge).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic) It aught not to concern you.
- (Archaic) He aughts for a living. (rare/obsolete)
American English
- (Archaic/Obsolete) It aught him little. (availed)
adverb
British English
- (Archaic) He is aught but kind. (in any way)
American English
- (Archaic) She was aught concerned. (at all)
adjective
British English
- (Not used as adjective)
American English
- (Not used as adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not typically introduced at this level)
- The number looks like an eight, but it's actually an aught (0). (AmE, technical)
- I don't care aught for his opinion. (archaic)
- For aught I know, she may have already left the country.
- The rifle cartridge is known as the thirty-aught-six.
- His efforts came to aught, despite months of meticulous planning.
- The historian referred to the first decade of the century as the 'aughts'.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'AUGHT' sounds like 'ought' (should), but it means the opposite of 'ought to be something'—it's ZERO or NOTHING.
Conceptual Metaphor
NOTHING IS A CIRCLE/ZERO (the shape of the digit); ABSENCE IS A LACK OF SUBSTANCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'ought to' (должен). 'Aught' is unrelated.
- The 'anything' sense is archaic; современный эквивалент — 'anything', not 'aught'.
- In firearm context, 'thirty-aught-six' is a fixed name, not a number to translate literally.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'aught' with 'ought' (modal verb).
- Using it in modern speech where 'zero' or 'nothing' is intended.
- Misspelling as 'ought' in the zero sense.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is the word 'aught' most likely to be used in modern American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Aught' primarily means 'zero' or 'anything'. 'Ought' is a modal verb meaning 'should'. They are homophones but different words.
Almost never in daily speech. You might encounter it in historical novels, poetry, or in the American terms 'the aughts' (2000s) or 'thirty-aught-six' (a rifle caliber).
They are often used interchangeably for 'nothing', though 'naught' is more common in BrE. 'Aught' also has the specific meaning of 'zero' (digit 0), which 'naught' lacks in technical use.
Yes, but it is an archaic, fixed phrase. In modern English, you would say 'For all I know'.