Nonsense
/ˈnɒn.sɛns/noun
Words or ideas that are absurd or meaningless.
Did you know?The prefix 'non-' means 'not', while 'sense' traces back to the Latin word for 'feeling' or 'perception', implying a lack of meaningful perception.
Etymological Timeline
Late 14th Century
Middle English
nonesens
“Absurdity or something without meaning.”
16th Century
Latin
non
“Not.”
16th Century
Latin
sensus
“Feeling, perception, or sense.”
Modern English
English
nonsense
“Absurd or meaningless language or ideas.”
Explore more surprising origins