no

1 of 6

adverb

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

no

2 of 6

adjective

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

no

3 of 6

noun

plural noes or nos ˈnōz How to pronounce no (audio)
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

no

4 of 6

abbreviation

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

No

5 of 6

less common spelling of noh

No

6 of 6

symbol

nobelium

Examples of no in a Sentence

Adverb She shook her head no. this cake is no better than the last one we made Adjective She said she had no money. I wanted no part of the plan. They showed no concern for my feelings. people with little or no experience with computers Noun There were 110 ayes and only 16 noes. The noes raised their hands.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Lomax was a trusted source of news, no matter the subject matter. Dave Clark, The Enquirer, 13 Mar. 2024 Only one thing did: Marshall was a descendant of slavery, and Black people, no matter their intellect, ambition or academic record, were barred by law from attending the University of Maryland. Nikole Hannah-Jones, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2024 To judge by comments on Rolling Loud’s social media, many fans seem excited - or at least neutral - about West’s comeback performance, which will be a major event in hip-hop no matter what happens onstage. August Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 This multifaceted approach ensures that no matter where it’s held, Bresh carries with it a spark of diversity and global connection. Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 Although Conners isn’t shy about tucking exposition into conversations no matter how awkward the fit — and leavened somewhat by the fine ensemble on hand, the film’s grand design is more subtle. Stephen Saito, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 Monday night’s episode of 90 Day: The Single Life proved Mike has moved on from his estranged wife, no matter her plan to win him back. Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Here are all the components of complete vulnerability to improve connection, no matter what your status or position is in the workplace. Melinda Fouts, Ph.d., Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 While the moon will go in front of the sun no matter what, pesky clouds could block the view for Kansas Citians. Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The offensive line needs three new starters and more clarity as to the quality of its backups, with few no-doubter candidates. Nathan Baird, cleveland, 20 Jan. 2023 Serve this uplifting and lemony no-bake pie and watch the party spring back to life. Sheena Chihak, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Aug. 2022 Schedule no-pressure, virtual coffee hangouts for folks who happen to have a gap in their schedule. Bilal Aijazi, Forbes, 3 June 2022 Maximum no-exam coverage is $1 million with terms of 10, 15, 20 or 30 years. John Egan, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2021 He is currently being held at Mobile County Metro Jail under a no bond order. Prescotte Stokes Iii, AL.com, 21 Aug. 2017 FREELAND NARROWLY MISSES A NO-HITTER The rookie Kyle Freeland came within two outs of the first no-hitter by a Rockies pitcher at Coors Field before surrendering a sharp single to Melky Cabrera, and Colorado pummeled the Chicago White Sox, 10-0. The Associated Press, New York Times, 10 July 2017 The NO column: Never take off your shoes on an airplane. Ellen Warren, chicagotribune.com, 3 July 2017 Of course, she's viewed as a top-tier candidate by both Republicans and Democrats, and her candidacy is viewed as one reason why Dean Heller may eventually be a no vote on this bill. John King, CNN, 25 June 2017
Noun
So far, the film has earned $161 million worldwide and is still, unfortunately, the lowest-grossing Marvel despite opening at the box office at no. 1. earlier this month. Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2023 The car that will hit the block, chassis no. 0665 GT, is the third of just five examples of the race-ready variant that features coachwork by the legendary Zagato. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 31 July 2023 After jumping to the no. 2 spot in 2021, the playful breed took the top spot in 2022. Karla Pope, Country Living, 23 June 2023 For Clarenda Stanley, her long-game is clear: To be the no. 1 herb producer in the South. Felice León, Essence, 22 June 2023 While the group’s catalog is certainly enormously valuable in most other parts of the world, the U.S. is the world’s largest music market by a long stretch and Canada is no slouch at No. 8, according to the IFPI’s 2022 report. Jem Aswad, Variety, 1 June 2023 The biggest winner is nuclear, which is the office’s no. 1 sector based on exposure. Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2023 The four-door coachwork (body no. 6104) was executed by H.J. Mulliner in West London. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2023 If caffeine is an absolute no for you, go for the decaf. Jackie Lam, Women's Health, 24 Feb. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'no.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

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

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of no was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near no

Cite this Entry

“No.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

no

1 of 3 adverb
1
used to express the negative of an alternative
shall we go to the game or no
2
: in no respect or degree
used in comparisons
it is no better than I expected it to be
3
: not so
used to express disagreement or refusal
no, I'm not hungry
4
used with a following adjective to imply a meaning expressed by the opposite positive statement
no uncertain terms
5
used to emphasize a following negative or to introduce a statement that is clearer or has more emphasis
has the right, no, the duty, to continue
6
used to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief
no—you don't say

no

2 of 3 adjective
1
a
: not any
has no money
b
: hardly any : very little
finished in no time
2
: not a
I'm no expert

no

3 of 3 noun
plural noes or nos ˈnōz How to pronounce no (audio)
1
: an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial
2
a
: a negative vote or decision
b
plural : persons voting in the negative

Medical Definition

no

1 of 2 abbreviation
number

No

2 of 2 symbol
nobelium

More from Merriam-Webster on no

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!