Nullement is a French adverb meaning “not at all,” “in no way,” or “by no means.” It strengthens a negative statement. It is somewhat formal, so pas du tout is more common in everyday speech.

Literal and emphatic meaning

The word does not have a separate figurative meaning. It can, however, make a denial sound firm or emphatic. Depending on the sentence, it may translate as “not in the least,” “by no means,” or “absolutely not.”

In standard French, nullement usually appears with ne. It often follows the verb or adjective it applies to.

• Je ne suis nullement inquiet. “I am not at all worried.”
• Ce choix n’est nullement surprenant. “This choice is by no means surprising.”
• Elle ne refuse nullement de vous aider. “She is not refusing to help you in any way.”
• Cela ne change nullement le résultat. “That does not change the result at all.”
• Il n’est nullement nécessaire de répondre tout de suite. “There is no need at all to reply at once.”
• Nous ne sommes nullement responsables de cette erreur. “We are in no way responsible for this mistake.”

Use in replies

Nullement can also stand alone as a short reply. It means “not at all” or “certainly not,” and often sounds more formal than pas du tout.

• Est-ce que je vous dérange ? – Nullement. “Am I disturbing you? – Not at all.”
• Vous êtes fâché ? – Nullement. “Are you angry? – Not at all.”
• Cela vous a-t-il posé un problème ? – Nullement. “Did that cause you a problem? – Not at all.”

Common patterns

Nullement can deny a quality, an action, or a claim. The English wording varies with the sentence.

• Ce n’est nullement une critique. “This is not a criticism at all.”
• Son silence ne signifie nullement qu’il est d’accord. “His silence does not mean that he agrees.”
• Le rapport ne confirme nullement cette idée. “The report does not support this idea in any way.”
• Elle n’est nullement obligée de partir. “She is under no obligation to leave.”
• Je ne prétends nullement avoir raison. “I do not claim to be right at all.”
• Cette règle n’est nullement nouvelle. “This rule is by no means new.”

Synonyms and alternatives

These expressions can often replace nullement, but they differ in tone and fit.

• Pas du tout is the usual everyday choice for “not at all.”
  Je ne suis pas du tout fatigué. “I am not tired at all.”
• Absolument pas is a strong, direct “absolutely not.”
  Absolument pas, je n’ai rien dit. “Absolutely not, I said nothing.”
• Aucunement means “in no way” and is also formal.
  Cette mesure n’est aucunement obligatoire. “This measure is in no way compulsory.”
• En aucune façon means “in no way” or “under no circumstances.”
  Je ne peux en aucune façon accepter cette offre. “I cannot accept this offer in any way.”
• Loin de là means “far from it.” It works when correcting an idea or impression, rather than as a direct substitute in every sentence.
  Il n’est pas paresseux, loin de là. “He is not lazy, far from it.”

What not to confuse it with

Nullement is an adverb of negation. It does not mean “badly.” The related adjective nul can mean “worthless,” “useless,” or “no,” depending on context.

• Ce film est nul. “This film is awful.”
• Ce n’est nullement le problème. “That is not the problem at all.”

Summary

Nullement means “not at all,” “in no way,” or “by no means.” It makes a negative statement firm, and it often sounds more formal than pas du tout. In standard French, it is usually used with ne.