Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Not tolerating irrelevancies; direct, efficient, and practical.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Not tolerating irrelevant or frivolous distractions; businesslike; serious.
  • adjective Serving the purpose without unnecessary complications; uncomplicated; plain; not fancy.
  • adjective Practical and economical.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Practical, not concerning oneself with anything silly or unimportant.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not tolerating irrelevancies

Etymologies

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Examples

  • A dark-haired woman stepped from the crowd of agents, her expression no-nonsense, her eyes a cold metallic blue.

    Ecstasy in Darkness Gena Showalter 2010

  • A dark-haired woman stepped from the crowd of agents, her expression no-nonsense, her eyes a cold metallic blue.

    Ecstasy in Darkness Gena Showalter 2010

  • A summary of his statement on the level of nuclear risk has received the endorsement of top military and academic luminaries, including Robert Inman, the retired admiral and former NSA director who is known as a no-nonsense technocrat, not a bleeding heart.

    How the End Begins Ron Rosenbaum 2011

  • The character in question is described as a no-nonsense natural leader, who despite rarely letting her guard down, is actually vulnerable and deeply caring.

    Mega Buzz: Bones' Sniper Returns, Bree's New Man, and Five-0's Team Shakeup 2011

  • A summary of his statement on the level of nuclear risk has received the endorsement of top military and academic luminaries, including Robert Inman, the retired admiral and former NSA director who is known as a no-nonsense technocrat, not a bleeding heart.

    How the End Begins Ron Rosenbaum 2011

  • Walton, who is known as a no-nonsense judge who runs a fair proceeding, seemed livid with how the situation unfolded.

    NY Daily News 2011

  • Walton, who is known as a no-nonsense judge who runs a fair proceeding, seemed livid with how the situation unfolded.

    NY Daily News 2011

  • Walton, who is known as a no-nonsense judge who runs a fair proceeding, seemed livid with how the situation unfolded.

    NY Daily News 2011

  • Walton, who is known as a no-nonsense judge who runs a fair proceeding, seemed livid with how the situation unfolded.

    NY Daily News 2011

  • Enter Peter Laviolette, who ranks among the coaches most likely to be described as no-nonsense, and who immediately held players accountable for their actions on the ice by denying them ice time.

    Higgins Hockey Fantasy Index 2010–2011 Rob Higgins 2010

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