nutless
|nut-less|
/ˈnʌt.ləs/
without nuts; lacking courage
Etymology
'nutless' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of 'nut' + the suffix '-less' (meaning 'without').
'nut' traces back to Old English 'hnutu' (from Proto-Germanic '*hnutą'), and the suffix '-less' comes from Old English '-lēas'; these elements combined in English to form the adjective 'nutless'.
Initially a straightforward compound meaning 'without nuts' (literal), it later acquired figurative senses such as 'lacking courage' and informal/slang senses like 'castrated' or 'without testicles'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
containing no nuts; free from tree nuts or peanuts (often used about food or products).
Please make a nutless cake for the school party because some children have allergies.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
lacking courage, force, or effectiveness; spineless or feeble (figurative).
The mayor's response to the crisis was nutless and failed to reassure the public.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/13 08:36