What it means
Nowt means nothing at all, plain and simple. It's a proper Northern English staple, used when there's nothing to report, nothing available, nothing wrong, or just absolutely sod all. People chuck it into everyday chat without thinking, and it instantly gives the sentence that no-fuss northern snap, especially alongside owt.
Usage examples
"Been out all day? Nah, nowt really, just nipped t’Co-op for milk, got soaked, then stuck kettle on and had a brew."
"There is nowt in the fridge, we will have to order a takeaway."
"He knows nowt about cars, do not let him near the engine."
"Aye, I asked him what was up and he just went, nowt, leave it."
"We got to the pub dead early and there were nowt on tap but lager."
Where it comes from
Nowt comes from older nought, which traces back to Old English nāwiht, meaning no thing. In Northern English speech, that older form shifted over time into nowt, while its partner owt stuck around for anything. So it's not trendy slang that popped up yesterday, it's an old dialect word still doing the rounds.
Other ways to say it
This expression also appears in
