NAHN-sens
/ˈnɑnsɛns/
nonsense is pronounced NAHN-sens (/ˈnɑnsɛns/). Nonsense refers to words or ideas that lack meaning, sense, or rational coherence. It can describe statements or actions that are absurd or meaningless, often intended as humor, sarcasm, or criticism. In everyday use, it signals disbelief or dismissiveness toward a claim, suggestion, or behavior that seems illogical or nonsensical.
Nonsense refers to words or ideas that lack meaning, sense, or rational coherence. It can describe statements or actions that are absurd or meaningless, often intended as humor, sarcasm, or criticism. In everyday use, it signals disbelief or dismissiveness toward a claim, suggestion, or behavior that seems illogical or nonsensical.
"That theory is nonsense; it doesn’t fit the data at all."
"Don’t listen to him—his argument is pure nonsense."
"The script was full of silly nonsense that had the audience laughing."
You pronounce it as /ˈnɒn.sɛns/ in UK/US practice. The primary stress is on the first syllable: NON-sense. Mouth position: start with an open-mid back rounded vowel in the first syllable (/ɒ/ or /ɑː/), then a clear /n/; the second syllable uses /sɛns/ with a short, crisp /s/ and final /ns/ blend. Listen to native samples to hear the subtle /ɒ/ vs /ɑː/ in your dialect.
Common slips include compressing the first syllable into a quick /nɔ/ or /næ/ and blending the final -sense too loosely, turning /sɛns/ into /sənz/ or /zens/. To correct: hold the first syllable clearly with /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ then sharply articulate /s/ followed by /ɛ/ and finalize with /ns/ without inserting an extra vowel between /s/ and /n/. Recording yourself helps catch this.
In American English, /ˈnɑːnˌsɛns/ often features a lengthened first vowel and a strong /s/ onset in the second syllable. British pronunciation tends toward /ˈnɒn.sens/ with a shorter /ɒ/ and a crisp /s/ in the second syllable, raisins in non-rhotic contexts. Australian typically shows /ˈnɒn.səns/ with a slightly broader /ɒ/ and a reduced second syllable vowel, closer to /ə/.
The challenge lies in the first vowel quality and the consonant cluster /ns/ at the end. The transition from the vowel to /n/ can lead to a vowel intrusion or an extra syllable if you’re not crisp with /ɛ/ and /ns/. Practicing the sequence /nɒn/ to /sɛns/ helps you stabilize the timing and avoid an overpronounced final nasal. IPA awareness is key to accurate articulation.
No, nonsense has no silent letters. Each letter represents a sound: the first syllable carries /n/ and /ɒ/ or /ɑː/, the second /sɛns/ with /s/ and /n/ in sequence. The letters spell a phonetic syllable boundary rather than a silent component, so you should articulate each letter’s sound clearly rather than silently skipping any segment.
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Nonsense comes from the combination of non- (a prefix meaning 'not' or 'without') and sense. The term first appeared in English in the 18th century, evolving from earlier notions of things that lacked sense or meaning. Its semantic field broadened from negation of sense to include speech or ideas that are ridiculous, illogical, or without justification. The word is often attributed to humor and satire where characters say or write things that defy logic, and it has maintained a flexible usage in criticism, scientific skepticism, and everyday talk. In literature, nonsense has been used as a playful or critical label for illogical plots or statements, while in everyday speech it marks a judgment about coherence, credibility, or usefulness of a claim. Over time, “nonsense” has remained a stable, everyday descriptor, frequently paired with phrases like “pure nonsense” or “nonsense words” in both spoken and written English.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "nonsense" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "nonsense" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "nonsense"
-nse sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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