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nothing if not. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
nothing if not, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
nothing if not in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
nothing if not you have here. The definition of the word
nothing if not will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
nothing if not, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Literally, asserts the truth of a statement by saying that the alternative is void.
Pronunciation
Adverb
nothing if not (not comparable)
- (idiomatic) Certainly; definitely; (sometimes also obliquely) thoroughly; wholly; to a high degree; extremely.
- Antonym: anything but
- Coordinate term: a bit
- Near-synonyms: nothing less than, nothing but
He's nothing if not a liar.- He is certainly a liar.
Well, thrift is a virtue, and he's nothing if not careful with money.- Not only denotes that he is certainly careful with money (frugal) but also obliquely implies that he is very careful with money (miserly).
Usage notes
The degree connotation relies heavily on idiomaticity; there is no literal logic to it.