if not

phrase

1

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

2

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kind of a silly riddle, but what’s life if not a little silly. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 30 July 2026

Of the first 17 teams in the cap era to win a Cup, all of them had at least one Hart candidate, if not more. — Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 30 July 2026

Something about that odd mishmash of dishes is where a couple like Holland and Zendaya feel suddenly relatable, if not fully regular. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 30 July 2026

The facility would not have been visited if not for the electrical permit application. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 30 July 2026

Rhymes for if not

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot