something is better than nothing
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
It is better to be contented over something than to have nothing at all.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “something is better than nothing” mean?
It is better to be contented over something than to have nothing at all.
Is “something is better than nothing” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.