NOTHINGS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does nothings mean? 

• NOTHINGS (noun)
  The noun NOTHINGS has 1 sense:

1. inconsequential conversation

  Familiarity information: NOTHINGS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NOTHINGS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Inconsequential conversation

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

they traded a few nothings as they parted

Hypernyms ("nothings" is a kind of...):

conversation (the use of speech for informal exchange of views or ideas or information etc.)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "nothings"):

honeyed words; sweet nothings (inconsequential expressions of affection)

 Context examples 

Life is nothings; I heed him not.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

In pompous nothings on his side, and civil assents on that of his cousins, their time passed till they entered Meryton.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

After the waste of a few minutes in saying the proper nothings, she began to give the invitation which was to comprise all the remaining dues of the Musgroves.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

Dinner was soon followed by tea and coffee, a ten miles' drive home allowed no waste of hours; and from the time of their sitting down to table, it was a quick succession of busy nothings till the carriage came to the door, and Mrs. Norris, having fidgeted about, and obtained a few pheasants' eggs and a cream cheese from the housekeeper, and made abundance of civil speeches to Mrs. Rushworth, was ready to lead the way.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

He took her hand and patted it as he replied:—"Ask me nothings as yet. When we have breakfast, then I answer all questions."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Then turning to her, he said, cheerfully: "And what am I do for you? For at this hour you do not want me for nothings."

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Usually when the Un-Dead sleep at home—as he spoke he made a comprehensive sweep of his arm to designate what to a vampire was home—their face show what they are, but this so sweet that was when she not Un-Dead she go back to the nothings of the common dead.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)