223 Nouns That Start with N [with Definitions and Examples]

In this article, we are going to talk about nouns that start with N. A noun is a word that functions as the name of a specific object or set of objects, such as living creatures, places, actions, qualities, states of existence, or ideas. Although there are thousands of nouns starting with N that you might have learnt throughout your life, there will still be many that you might totally be unaware of, and this article is a great place to start if you want to learn about them. For your convenience, a list of nouns that start with N has been given in this article.

We are going to analyze nouns beginning with N that people use the most in their everyday lives and the ones that are rarely used by them. Apart from that there are many nouns that start with N to describe a person, place, and animate and inanimate objects. A strong orator has a majority of words up his sleeves that help him move the masses. For you as a reader, the first place to start should be to get to know about nouns because these are the agents of action. Without any further ado, let’s get straight to nouns that start with N that will help you develop a distinctive aura and personality in your day-to-day conversations and writings.

Nouns That Start with N You Always Use

Of the considerable number of parts of speech, nouns may be the most essential. These are some of the nouns that start with N that you use regularly.

1. Nose

• Definition: the part of the face that sticks out above the mouth, through which you breathe and smell
• Synonyms: snout, muzzle, nostrils
• Example: He slowly breathed out the air through his nose.

2. Night

• Definition: the period from sunset to sunrise in each twenty-four hours
• Synonyms: darkness, duskiness, bedtime
• Example: It usually gets cold at night.

3. Notebook

• Definition: a book of plain paper or paper with lines, for writing on
• Synonyms: diary, pad, journal
• Example: She was jotting things down in a little notebook.

4. Noise

• Definition: a sound or sounds, especially when it is unwanted, unpleasant, or loud
• Synonyms: buzz, turbulence, clamor
• Example: I heard a loud noise and ran to the window.

5. Nap

• Definition: a short sleep, especially during the day
• Synonyms: doze, interlude, shuteye
• Example: Grandpa usually takes a nap after lunch.

6. Name

• Definition: the word or words that a person, thing, or place is known by
• Synonyms: label, alias, appellation
• Example: The students were listed by name and by country of origin.

7. Newspaper

• Definition: a printed publication containing news, articles, and advertisements
• Synonyms: paper, print, daily
• Example: Do you read a newspaper regularly?

8. Noon

• Definition: twelve o’clock in the middle of the day, or about that time
• Synonyms: apex, midday
• Example: By noon, we had had ten phone calls.

9. Needle

• Definition: a thin metal pin, used in sewing, that is pointed at one end and has a hole called an eye at the other end for thread
• Synonyms: pin, syringe, pointer
• Example: The girl threaded the needle for her mother.

10. Neck

• Definition: the part of the body of an animal or human being that connects the head and the trunk
• Synonyms: nape, cervix, collar
• Example: She wore a gold chain around her neck.

Nouns That Start with N You Usually Use

A noun is a word that recognizes a man, creature, spot, thing, or thought. We can’t imagine communicating, writing, or reading without these nouns. So here are some nouns starting with N that we usually make use of.

1. Necklace

• Definition: a piece of jewelry worn around the neck
• Synonyms: chain, beads, pendant
• Example: A heavy gold necklace hung around her neck.

2. News

• Definition: information or reports about recent events
• Synonyms: report, story, statement
• Example: That’s the best news I’ve heard for a long time!

3. North

• Definition: the direction in which a compass needle normally points, towards the horizon on the left-hand side of a person facing east
• Synonyms: hyperborean, northward, septentrional
• Example: A bitter wind blew from the north.

4. Nest

• Definition: a structure or place made or chosen by a bird for laying eggs and sheltering its young
• Synonyms: roost, birdhouse, den
• Example: Cuckoos are famous for laying their eggs in the nests of other birds.

5. Net

• Definition: a lacelike fabric with a uniform mesh of cotton, silk, etc.
• Synonyms: cloth, fabric, lace
• Example: Dolphins often get tangled in the nets that are used to catch tuna fish.

6. Nail

• Definition: a small metal spike with a broadened flat head
• Synonyms: pin, spike, tack
• Example: Don’t try and hammer nails into the ceiling.

7. Napkin

• Definition: a piece of cloth or paper used at meals to protect your clothes and to clean your lips or fingers
• Synonyms: towel, doily, serviette
• Example: She unfolded her napkin and put it on her lap.

8. Nephew

• Definition: a son of one’s brother or sister, or of one’s brother-in-law or sister-in-law
• Synonyms: kinsman, brother’s son
• Example: She’d always had a soft spot for her younger nephew.

9. Nanny

• Definition: a person whose job is to take care of a particular family’s children
• Synonyms: nursemaid, governess, childminder
• Example: She relied on a nanny to care for her baby during the week.

10. Novel

• Definition: a long, printed, fictional story about imaginary characters and events
• Synonyms: story, tale, narrative, fiction
• Example: Jane Austen has written a number of well-known novels.

Nouns That Start with N You Often Use

Nouns are an indispensable part of our daily lives. There is a variety of nouns that you use in your day-to-day life, whether it is in writing or speaking. These are some of the nouns starting with N that you might often use.

1. Nightmare

• Definition: a frightening or unpleasant dream
• Synonyms: vision, incubus, torment
• Example: I had nightmares after watching the horror movie.

2. Nationality

• Definition: the status of belonging to a particular nation
• Synonyms: citizenship, community
• Example: What nationality are you?

3. Noodle

• Definition: a very thin, long strip of pasta or a similar flour paste, eaten with a sauce or in a soup
• Synonyms: spaghetti, pasta, tortellini
• Example: Cook the noodles in a large pan of boiling water.

4. Nobody

• Definition: a person of no importance or authority
• Synonyms: menial, nonentity, zero
• Example: They went from nobodies to superstars.

5. Nightingale

• Definition: a small, brown European bird known especially for beautiful songs, usually heard during the night
• Synonyms: songbird, philomel
• Example: You can hear a nightingale whistle at night.

6. Niece

• Definition: the daughter of a brother or sister
• Synonyms: kinswoman, brother’s daughter
• Example: She has heard from her niece how you rescued her.

7. Nausea

• Definition: the feeling that you are going to vomit
• Synonyms: sickness, vomiting, retching
• Example: Signs of the illness include fever, nausea, and vomiting.

8. Newcomer

• Definition: a colorless, tasteless, odorless gaseous chemical
• Synonyms: outsider, stranger
• Example: The eyes of the newcomer were the color of the sky.

9. Neighbor

• Definition: someone who lives near you
• Synonyms: acquaintance, bystander, homebody
• Example: John is my next-door neighbor.

10. Navy

• Definition: the part of a country’s armed forces that is trained to operate at sea
• Synonyms: argosy, sea force, armada
• Example: My brother is an officer in the Navy.

Nouns That Start with N You Sometimes Use

Some nouns are used more often in spoken and written conversations than others. The following is a list of nouns beginning with N that are less frequently used in our everyday lives.

1. Nobility

• Definition: the quality of being noble in character
• Synonyms: virtue, goodness, honor
• Example: He is famous for his nobility among his friends.

2. Notion

• Definition: a conception of or belief about something
• Synonyms: idea, belief, concept
• Example: I have only a vague notion of what she does for a living.

3. Nurturer

• Definition: someone who nurtures others, offering food, protection, support, encouragement, or training
• Synonyms: protector, caregiver, keeper
• Example: Cora was the nurturer in our family.

4. Nylon

• Definition: cloth or yarn made from synthetic materials
• Synonyms: fabric, polymer, cloth
• Example: Many polymers, such as nylon, are artificial.

5. Nectar

• Definition: a sweet liquid produced by flowers and collected by bees and other insects
• Synonyms: sap, ambrosia, amrita
• Example: The bee turns nectar into honey.

6. Negotiation

• Definition: the process of discussing something with someone in order to reach an agreement with them
• Synonyms: talks, parleying, conference
• Example: Negotiation for pay increase is likely to take several weeks.

7. Nickel

• Definition: a five-cent coin; five cents
• Synonyms: coin, dime, penny
• Example: Is this here worth a nickel?

8. Nominee

• Definition: a person who is nominated as a candidate for election or for an honor or award
• Synonyms: contender, contestant, runner
• Example: Alice is a nominee for best actress.

9. Narrator

• Definition: a person who narrates something, especially a character who recounts the events of a novel or narrative poem
• Synonyms: storyteller, reporter, relater
• Example: Michael Caine is the narrator in the documentary film.

10. Norm

• Definition: an accepted standard or a way of behaving or doing things that most people agree with
• Synonyms: standard, usual, normal
• Example: One child per family is fast becoming the norm in some countries.

Nouns That Start with N You Occasionally Use

Some nouns are more complex or simply less frequent than others. The following is a list of noun words that start with N and are used occasionally in our writings and conversations.

1. Nonentity

• Definition: a person or thing with no special or interesting qualities
• Synonyms: nobody, cipher
• Example: She was once a political nonentity, but has since won a formidable reputation.

2. Neologism

• Definition: a newly coined word or expression
• Synonyms: coinage, invention
• Example: The neologism became so popular it was added to most dictionaries.

3. Nuance

• Definition: a very slight difference in appearance, meaning, sound, etc.
• Synonyms: nicety, refinement, shade
• Example: The painter has managed to capture every nuance of the woman’s expression.

4. Nomenclature

• Definition: the devising or choosing of names for things, especially in a science or other discipline
• Synonyms: terminology, taxonomy, classification
• Example: The students found it hard to decipher the nomenclature of chemical compounds.

5. Nonchalance

• Definition: calm behavior that suggests you are not interested or do not care
• Synonyms: indifference, calmness
• Example: He leaned back in his chair with apparent nonchalance.

6. Niche

• Definition: a job or position that is very suitable for someone, especially one that someone likes
• Synonyms: job, slot, vocation
• Example: He has carved a niche for himself as a financial advisor.

7. Nuisance

• Definition: someone or something that is causing trouble
• Synonyms: annoyance, inconvenience
• Example: It’s a nuisance having all those people clomping through the house.

8. Nymph

• Definition: a goddess or spirit in the form of a young woman, living in a tree, river, mountain, etc.
• Synonyms: sylph, sprite
• Example: Nemertes was a sea nymph, daughter of Nereus and Doris.

9. Nitwit

• Definition: a silly person
• Synonyms: idiot, fool, ignoramus
• Example: I want nothing to do with that bunch of nitwits!

10. Navigator

• Definition: a person who explores by sea
• Synonyms: seaman, mariner, helmsman
• Example: New Zealand was discovered by Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman.

Nouns That Start with N You Seldom Use

While nouns beginning with N are fairly typical, there are a few exceptions that are seldom encountered. Following is a list of nouns that start with the letter N and are used very seldom.

1. Nemesis

• Definition: the inescapable agent of someone’s or something’s downfall
• Synonyms: curse, adversary, infliction
• Example: The tax increases proved to be the president’s political nemesis.

2. Nexus

• Definition: a connection or series of connections linking two or more things.
• Synonyms: middle, center, connection
• Example: Times Square is the nexus of the New York subway.

3. Neophyte

• Definition: a person who is new to a subject or activity
• Synonyms: beginner, learner, novice
• Example: This computer course is for neophytes.

4. Nub

• Definition: the crux or central point of a matter
• Synonyms: crux, core, heart
• Example: The nub of the problem lies elsewhere.

5. Nonplus

• Definition: a state of being very surprised and confused
• Synonyms: bewildered, confused, bemused
• Example: Reduced to a perfect nonplus, he rose from his chair.

6. Nuptial

• Definition: a wedding or marriage
• Synonyms: union, wedding
• Example: She became immersed in planning the forthcoming nuptials.

7. Nondescript

• Definition: a person or thing lacking distinctive or interesting features
• Synonyms: prosaicism, ordinary, commonality
• Example: The nondescripts were straight out of the nine-to-five banking bureaucracy.

8. Narcissism

• Definition: too much interest in and admiration for your own physical appearance and abilities
• Synonyms: egotism, arrogance, boastfulness
• Example: Those who suffer from narcissism become self-absorbed or chronic show-offs.

9. Nodule

• Definition: a small raised area or swelling
• Synonyms: blister, sore, swelling
• Example: There is a soft nodule on my vocal cord.

10. Necromancy

• Definition: the supposed practice of communicating with the dead, especially in order to predict the future
• Synonyms: sorcery, magic, divination
• Example: Some people came originally from Greece and were highly skilled in necromancy.

Nouns That Start with N You Rarely Use

Some N-nouns are rarely used or even heard of in our daily lives. When a reader learns them, he is astounded to know that that such nouns even exist. Below are some of those nouns that start with N.

1. Nadir

• Definition: the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation
• Synonyms: zero, unsuccessfulness, rock-bottom
• Example: Asking that question was the nadir of my career.

2. Necropolis

• Definition: a cemetery, especially a large one belonging to an ancient city
• Synonyms: graveyard, cemetery
• Example: A number of tombs belonging to the Roman necropolis were discovered in 1883.

3. Nettle

• Definition: a wild plant with heart-shaped leaves that are covered in hairs that sting
• Synonyms: stinger, urtica dioica
• Example: In recent times the nettle has been found to be effective in the treatment of benign prostate hypertrophy.

4. Niggard

• Definition: a mean or ungenerous person; a miser
• Synonyms: meanie, miser, cheapskate
• Example: Don’t expect that niggard to invite you to dinner.

5. Nonage

• Definition: the period of a person’s immaturity or youth
• Synonyms: youth, childhood, immaturity
• Example: Tom’s nonage lasted much longer than it should have.

6. Nous

• Definition: good judgment and practical ability
• Synonyms: commonsense, wits
• Example: Anyone with a bit of nous would have known what to do in such a situation.

7. Nonpareil

• Definition: a person or thing that is better than any other
• Synonyms: model, standard, prototype
• Example: She was, he was convinced, the nonpareil among women.

8. Napalm

• Definition: a substance containing petrol that burns strongly and is used in bombs
• Synonyms: gasoline, petrol
• Example: The government has consistently denied using napalm.

9. Nostrum

• Definition: an idea for solving a problem, especially one that is not very good
• Synonyms: remedy, cure, prescription
• Example: To get rid of an unsightly rash, Phil was even willing to try a nostrum recommended by his crazy uncle.

10. Numismatist

• Definition: someone who studies or collects coins, paper money, or medals
• Synonyms: collector, aggregator, gatherer
• Example: Mint officials are yet to complete their consultations with numismatists.

Positive Nouns That Start with N

Some nouns carry a positive connotation while others do not. Following is a list of positive nouns that start with N and carry a positive connotation that you must know.

1. Nature

• Definition: the force that is responsible for physical life and that is sometimes spoken of as a person
• Synonyms: environment, landscape, creation
• Example: Feeling tired-out is Nature’s way of telling you to rest.

2. Nurse

• Definition: a person trained to care for the sick, especially in a hospital
• Synonyms: carer, caregiver, attendant
• Example: He worked as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital.

3. Nation

• Definition: a large body of people united by common descent, history, culture, or language, inhabiting a particular country or territory
• Synonyms: state, sovereignty, dominion
• Example: The president spoke to the nation about the new tax.

4. Nobleman

• Definition: a man who belongs by rank, title, or birth to the aristocracy
• Synonyms: gentleman, lord, grandee
• Example: He was a nobleman, fond of peace and actuated by the consciousness of a great mission.

5. Nourishment

• Definition: the food necessary for growth, health, and good condition
• Synonyms: lord, duke, aristocrat
• Example: Young babies obtain all the nourishment they need from their mother’s milk.

6. Newborn

• Definition: a recently born child or animal
• Synonyms: infant, young, babe
• Example: She’s incapable of looking after a newborn.

7. Nirvana

• Definition: a state of freedom from all suffering that Buddhists believe can be achieved by removing all personal wishes
• Synonyms: paradise, bliss, ecstasy
• Example: They promised nirvana, but they are delivering chaos and cuts.

8. Nicety

• Definition: a fine or subtle detail or distinction
• Synonyms: subtlety, nuance, refinement
• Example: We don’t bother with all the social niceties here.

9. Nursery

• Definition: a place where young plants and trees are grown for sale or for planting elsewhere
• Synonyms: greenhouse, seed-plot, planthouse
• Example: Plants are available from specialist nurseries.

10. Nomad

• Definition: a person who does not stay long in the same place; a wanderer
• Synonyms: traveler, wayfarer, wanderer
• Example: Dolly was a nomad who had finally taken root in Hawaii.

Nouns That Start with N – Full List (223 words)

• Nab
• Nabit
• Nacho
• Nadir
• Naebm
• Nahb
• Nail
• Nair
• Nairo
• Naivete
• Name
• Namesake
• Nanometer
• Nap
• Napkin
• Narcissism
• Narcotic
• Nareb
• Narration
• Narrative
• Narrator
• Narrowness
• Nascency
• Nastiness
• Natation
• Nation
• National
• Nationalism
• Nationalist
• Nationality
• Nationhood
• Native
• Nato
• Naturalism
• Naturalist
• Nature
• Naturopath
• Nausea
• Navel
• Navigation
• Navigator
• Navy
• Neatness
• Nebula
• Necessity
• Neck
• Necklace
• Neckline
• Necktie
• Necropsy
• Nectar
• Need
• Neediness
• Needle
• Negation
• Negative
• Negativism
• Negativity
• Neglect
• Negligence
• Negoce
• Negotiation
• Negotiator
• Neighbor
• Neighborhood
• Neighbourhood
• Nemesis
• Neocortex
• Neon
• Neonate
• Neoteric
• Nephew
• Nerve
• Nest
• Nester
• Nestling
• Net
• Network
• Neuralgia
• Neurasthenic
• Neurologist
• Neuron
• Neuropathology
• Neurotic
• Neutralism
• Neutralist
• Neutrality
• Neutralization
• Neutron
• Newborn
• Newcomer
• Newel
• Newlywed
• Newsboy
• Newsletter
• Newsman
• Newsmen
• Newspaper
• Newspaperman
• Newspapermen
• Newsreel
• Newsstand
• Newt
• Niceness
• Nicety
• Niche
• Nickel
• Nickname
• Niece
• Night
• Nightclub
• Nightfall
• Nightingale
• Nightmare
• Nightshirt
• Nihilism
• Nihilist
• Nil
• Nimblewit
• Nimbus
• Nip
• Nipper
• Nirvana
• Nitrate
• Nitrogen
• Nitroglycerine
• Nitwit
• Nobility
• Nobleman
• Noblesse
• Nod
• Node
• Noise
• Noisiness
• Nomad
• Nomenclature
• Nomination
• Nominee
• Nonce
• Noncompliance
• Nonconformist
• Nondefeatist
• Nondriver
• Nonequivalence
• Nonfiction
• Nonfood
• Nonism
• Nonoccurrence
• Nonogenarian
• Nonpareil
• Nonpayment
• Nonreactivity
• Nonsense
• Nonstop
• Noodle
• Noon
• Noontime
• Noose
• Nop
• Norad
• Noradrenalin
• Norethandrolone
• Norm
• Normal
• Normalcy
• North
• Northerner
• Norwegian
• Nose
• Nosebag
• Nosebleed
• Nostalgia
• Nostril
• Notable
• Notation
• Notch
• Note
• Notebook
• Notice
• Notification
• Notion
• Notoriety
• Noun
• Nourishment
• Novel
• Novelist
• Novelty
• Novice
• Novitiate
• Nowhere
• Nozzle
• Nuance
• Nuclei
• Nucleoli
• Nucleotide
• Nuclide
• Nudge
• Nudism
• Nudist
• Nudity
• Nugget
• Nuisance
• Null
• Nullity
• Number
• Numbness
• Numeracy
• Numerology
• Nun
• Nurse
• Nursery
• Nursling
• Nurture
• Nurturer
• Nut
• Nutmeg
• Nutrition
• Nutshell
• Nuttiness
• Nux
• Nylon
• Nymph
• Nymphomaniac

Final Thoughts on Nouns That Start with N

Thank you for going through this article and it is expected that it would have proved productive to you. You may start asking yourself a lot of questions about the idea pitched in this article. What number of these nouns beginning with N, for instance, would you say you were familiar with? What number of these nouns starting with N do you utilize most of the times? These questions suggest that you have completely perceived the thought discussed in this article.

The next step is to put these nouns that start with N into practice. Practical application of these nouns in your everyday life routine will not only improve your skill level but will also facilitate you in developing your expressive language.

Ps. See also positive words that start with N, adjectives that start with N and verbs that start with N.