nobody
A1 (elementary)Neutral. Common in all registers from informal to formal, though the nominal sense ('a person of no importance') can be slightly informal.
Definition
Meaning
no person; not any person.
A person of no importance, influence, or authority (when used as a noun).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a pronoun, it is synonymous with 'no one'. It takes a singular verb. The nominal sense derives via ellipsis from phrases like 'a nobody'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The word is identical in function and frequency. The nominal use ('he's a nobody') is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
The nominal sense can be perceived as harsh or dismissive in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely high and identical frequency in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
nobody + verb (singular)there is/was nobodynobody elselike nobody's businessVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “like nobody's business (very fast or intensively)”
- “nobody's fool (a shrewd person)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The proposal was approved by nobody on the board, so it was rejected."
Academic
"The study found that nobody in the control group exhibited the symptoms."
Everyday
"Nobody remembered to buy milk."
Technical
"The system defaults to a safe state if nobody is logged in."
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He went from a complete nobody to a household name.
- She refused to be treated like a nobody.
American English
- In this town, he's just a nobody.
- The agent discovered the actor when she was a total nobody.
pronoun
British English
- Nobody was waiting at the bus stop.
- I've told nobody about our plans.
- There's nobody quite like her.
American English
- Nobody showed up to the meeting.
- She told nobody her secret.
- There's nobody home right now.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Nobody is here.
- I know nobody in this city.
- Nobody likes cold soup.
- Nobody else could solve the problem.
- Suddenly, nobody in the office knew the procedure.
- She felt like a nobody in the huge corporation.
- Nobody with any sense would invest in that scheme.
- The politician, once a nobody, now commanded great respect.
- The decree was met with approval by nobody save the ruling elite.
- His memoirs chart his rise from an impoverished nobody to a captain of industry.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
NO BODY = Not a single body/person.
Conceptual Metaphor
ABSENCE AS EMPTINESS (nobody there = an empty space where a person could be). IMPORTANCE AS SIZE/SUBSTANCE (a nobody = an insignificant, small entity).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using a plural verb (e.g., 'nobody are'). Russian 'никто' also requires a singular verb, so this is a positive transfer.
- Do not confuse with 'no body' (meaning no corpse).
Common Mistakes
- Using a plural verb: 'Nobody like it' (incorrect) vs. 'Nobody likes it' (correct).
- Using a double negative in standard English: 'Nobody didn't come' (non-standard) vs. 'Nobody came' (standard).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'nobody' INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word when used as a pronoun or noun meaning 'no person' or 'an unimportant person'. The two-word phrase 'no body' (e.g., 'No body was found') has a different meaning.
Always a singular verb (e.g., Nobody knows, Nobody was there).
There is no significant difference in meaning. 'No one' is slightly more formal in writing, but both are used interchangeably in speech and writing.
Yes, but it creates a negative meaning within the sentence. For example, 'Nobody succeeded' is a grammatically positive sentence with a negative meaning (i.e., all people failed).
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