In poetry, “nowt” can give a speaker’s voice a regional, informal, or working-class character. It is a traditional northern English form of “nought,” meaning nothing; its meaning depends on context, since it may refer to having nothing, doing nothing, or—in a phrase such as “nowt except”—to no outcome other than something stated. Poets may use it to represent authentic speech and contrast ordinary language with elevated or official diction.

“Nowt” is particularly associated with northern English Dialects, including Yorkshire and Lancashire speech, though it may appear more widely in British informal usage. It comes from “nought” or “naught,” older English words meaning “nothing.” A related Dialect word is “owt,” meaning “anything.” The contrast is memorable: “owt” means anything, while “nowt” means nothing. In Owen’s poem, Dialect spellings such as “’e,” “an’,” “t’other,” and “nowt” are deliberate. They establish a colloquial soldier’s voice rather than indicating incorrect English. Do not confuse “nowt” with “not”: “nowt” is a noun or pronoun meaning “nothing,” not simply a negative particle.