nihilism
UK /ˈnaɪ.ɪ.lɪ.zəm/ US /ˈnaɪ.ə.lɪ.zəm/ Syllables: ni-hil-ism
Quick answer
The view that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that established moral and religious values have no real foundation.
Nihilism is the belief that life has no built-in meaning, purpose or value, and that rules about right and wrong have no real foundation. A nihilist does not think that anything is sacred or that morals are anything more than habit. The word is mostly used in philosophy and in writing about books, films and music, where a nihilistic mood shows a bleak view of the world. It is also used more loosely for a strong rejection of all authority or all beliefs.
"The philosopher's later work has often been read as a slide into pure nihilism."Meanings
- The belief that life has no meaning, purpose or true value.
- The rejection of all established rules, authority and beliefs.
Example sentences
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"Many readers saw the novel as a study of nihilism."
Level C1, Meaning 1
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"His nihilism made it hard for him to care about any goal."
Level C1, Meaning 1
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"The band's songs were full of teenage nihilism."
Level C1, Meaning 2
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"Some critics warn that cynicism can slide into nihilism."
Level C2, Meaning 1
Look-alikes and common mistakes
- cynicism : A cynic expects the worst from people. A nihilist goes further and says life has no meaning at all.
- pessimism : Pessimism expects bad outcomes. Nihilism says nothing matters either way.
Word family and forms
Word partners
Words and phrases that often go with "nihilism".
- moral nihilism
- existential nihilism
- political nihilism
- sink into nihilism
- a nihilist philosophy
- a nihilistic attitude
Origin
Nihilism comes from Latin nihil, which means nothing, plus the ending -ism, used for beliefs and systems. It entered English in the early 1800s, probably by way of French or German.
Checked against: Wiktionary, the free dictionary, Dictionary.com.
Usage notes
'Nihilism' is often used loosely as an insult meaning someone believes in nothing, but as a philosophical position it specifically denies objective meaning or values.
How to remember it
Nihilism starts with nihil, the Latin for nothing. Think of a person who believes in nothing.
Test yourself
Which word fits the gap? "Many readers saw the novel as a study of _____."
Answer: nihilism
In your own words, what does "nihilism" mean?
The view that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and that established moral and religious values have no real foundation.
Learn next at C1
- nocturnal Active at night rather than during the day.
- nominal In name only, not in reality, or very small in amount.
- nonchalant Calm and relaxed in a way that suggests you are not worried or interes...
- nondescript Lacking distinctive or interesting features.
- notorious Famous for something bad.
- novice A person who is new to a skill or activity and has little experience.
Sources and credits
- Wiktionary, the free dictionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
- Dictionary.com · used for the origin · checked Oct 19, 2026
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Report a mistake on this page