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no

adverb \ ˈnō \
|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Definition of no

1 a chiefly Scotland : not
b —used as a function word to express the negative of an alternative choice or possibility
  • shall we go out to dinner or no
2 : in no respect or degree —used in comparisons
  • you're no better than the rest of us
3 : not so —used to express negation, dissent, denial, or refusal
  • no, I'm not going
4 —used with a following adjective to imply a meaning expressed by the opposite positive statement
  • in no uncertain terms
5 —used as a function word to emphasize a following negative or to introduce a more emphatic, explicit, or comprehensive statement
  • it's big, no, it's gigantic
6 —used as an interjection to express surprise, doubt, or incredulity
7 —used in combination with a verb to form a compound adjective
  • no-bake pie
8 : in negation
  • shook his head no

See no defined for English-language learners

See no defined for kids

Examples of no in a Sentence

  1. She shook her head no.

  2. this cake is no better than the last one we made

Recent Examples of no from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'no.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of no

Middle English, from Old English nā, from ne not + ā always; akin to Old Norse & Old High German ne not, Latin ne-, Greek nē- — more at aye

no Synonyms

Synonyms

hardly, ill, none, noway (usually no way), scarcely;

Antonyms

absolutely, certainly, completely, definitely, positively, surely;

Near Antonyms

awful, awfully, enormously, exceedingly (also exceeding), extremely, greatly, highly, hugely, immensely, mightily, mighty, most, quite, terribly, very;

assuredly, clearly, hands down, perfectly, plainly, really, truly, unequivocally, unquestionably, utterly;

doubtless, more or less, mostly, rather, slightly, somewhat;

Related Words

near, never, nothing, nowhere, nowise;

Phrases

by no means, nothing doing, on no account;

2

no

adjective

Definition of no

1 a : not any
  • no parking
  • no disputing the decision
b : hardly any : very little
  • finished in no time
2 : not a : quite other than a
  • he's no expert
3 —used in combination with a noun to form a compound adjective
  • a no-nonsense realist

See no defined for English-language learners

Examples of no in a Sentence

  1. She said she had no money.

  2. I wanted no part of the plan.

  3. They showed no concern for my feelings.

  4. people with little or no experience with computers

Recent Examples of no from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'no.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of no

12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler
3

no

noun \ ˈnō \

Definition of no

plural noes or nos play \ˈnōz\
1 : an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial
  • received a firm no in reply
2 a : a negative vote or decision
b noes or nos plural : persons voting in the negative

See no defined for English-language learners

Examples of no in a Sentence

  1. There were 110 ayes and only 16 noes.

  2. The noes raised their hands.

Recent Examples of no from the Web

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'no.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of no

1598

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

no Synonyms

Synonyms

declination, denial, disallowance, nay, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown;

Antonyms

allowance, approval, grant, OK (or okay);

Near Antonyms

acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, leave, license (or licence), permission, sanction, sufferance;

imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp;

Related Words

rebuff, repudiation, repulse, spurn;

negative;

ban, injunction, veto;

deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression;

4

no

abbreviation

Definition of no

1 north; northern
2
[Latin numero, ablative of numerus]
number
1

No

Definition of No

  • less common spelling of

Other Performing Arts Terms

diva, dramaturgy, loge, prestidigitation, proscenium, supernumerary, zany

2

No

symbol

Definition of No

nobelium

Other Chemical Engineering Terms

alkali, cation, decant, hygroscopic, isotope, oxidize, slurry, solute, viscous

NO Defined for English Language Learners

no

adverb

Definition of no for English Language Learners

  • —used to give a negative answer or reply to a question, request, or offer

  • : in a way that shows a negative response

  • —used to introduce a statement that corrects an earlier statement

no

adjective

Definition of no for English Language Learners

  • : not any

  • —used to say that someone or something is not the kind of person or thing being described

no

noun

Definition of no for English Language Learners

  • : a negative answer : an answer of no

  • : a vote of no

  • : people who are voting no

NO Defined for Kids

1

no

adverb \ nō \

Definition of no for Students

1 : not at all : not any
  • It was no better than I expected it to be.
2 : not so —used to express disagreement or refusal
  • No, I'm not hungry.
3 —used to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief
  • No—you don't say!
2

no

adjective

Definition of no for Students

1 : not any
  • He has no money.
2 : hardly any : very little
  • I finished in no time.
3 : not a
  • I'm no liar.
3

no

noun

Definition of no for Students

plural noes or nos
1 : an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial
  • I received a firm no in reply.
2 : a vote or decision against something
  • There were 100 ayes and only 12 noes.
3 noes or nos plural : persons voting against something
  • The noes raised their hands.

no.

abbreviation

Definition of no. for Students

1 north
2 number

Medical Dictionary

no

abbreviation

medical Definition of no

number

No

symbol

medical Definition of No

nobelium

Learn More about no

  1. See words that rhyme with no Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for no Spanish Central: Translation of no Nglish: Translation of no for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of no for Arabic speakers

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