nowt

1. Northern EnglandNaught, nothing.

   Today I have achieved absolutely nowt / In just being out of the house, I've lost out

   2004, “It Was Supposed to Be So Easy”, in Mike Skinner (lyrics), A Grand Don’t Come For Free, performed by The Streets

   Synonyms: noot

1. Northern EnglanduncountableSussexNaught, nothing.
2. YorkshireuncountableLancashireA person of no importance; a worthless person; a ne'er-do-well.

   ... and great hectoring nowts like yond' Irish Peter, Helstone's curate.

   1849, Charlotte Bronte, Shirley

   2 more examples

   Bud yah're a nowt, and it's no use talking - yah'll niver mend o'yer ill ways, but goa raight to t' divil, like yer mother afore ye!

   1847, Emily Bronte, Wuthering Heights

   A ornery beggar, a nowt, a rapscallion, a shop egg, a devvle from yed to foot, at some time or other were applied to him.

   1898, The Cornhill Magazine, volume 78, page 697

1. Northern Englandnot comparableNaught, nothing.

plural nowts · alternative dialectal obsolete nolt

1. Northern EnglandScotlandAn ox.
2. Northern EnglandScotlandA herd of cattle.
3. Northern EnglandScotlandfigurativelyA dumb, crass, or clumsy person, or a person who is difficult or stubborn.

   A hunner guineas for the heid o' that nowt Renwick, and him no' sae very far awa' frae your very nose at this meenit.

   1929, James William Marriott, editor, The Best One-act Plays of 1931, G.G. Harrap, published 1932, page 162