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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
After all, a ballerina twirling in her jewelry box home keeps spinning no matter what is going on outside her little universe. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024 Understanding how to leverage artificial intelligence has become essential for all employees, no matter the industry. Gordon Pelosse, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
With no itchy seams and a blended no-static material, this shirt is designed for running and reduces chafing, retains shape, stretches further than other fabrics, and uses mesh to maximize breathability during cardio heavy training. Stephanie Osmanski, Southern Living, 27 Mar. 2024 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
Noun
Coraline 15th Anniversary notched a nice no. 5 at the domestic box office with $8.63 million for the three-day weekend on 1,603 screens. Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2024 And the yes vote in the new poll, though short of 50%, was well ahead of the no. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for no 

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

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

Noun

15th century, 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 9 Dec. 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

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