no

adverb

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\ ˈnō

Definition of no

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a 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

adjective

Definition of no (Entry 2 of 6)

1a : 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

noun

\ ˈnō

plural noes or nos\ ˈnōz

Definition of no (Entry 3 of 6)

1 : an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial received a firm no in reply

2a : a negative vote or decision

b noes or nos plural : persons voting in the negative

abbreviation

Definition of no (Entry 4 of 6)

1 north; northern

2 [Latin numero, ablative of numerus] number

Definition of No (Entry 5 of 6)

less common spelling of noh

symbol

Definition of No (Entry 6 of 6)

nobelium

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing no Learn More About no

Synonyms & Antonyms for no

Synonyms: Adverb

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Noun

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Butcher Shop Ground Beef product is no longer available for purchase. — Chris Smith, BGR, 17 Oct. 2022 Jin turns 30 in December, the age at which men can no longer delay enlistment. — Time, 17 Oct. 2022 Service was restored by the next week, and most Jackson residents no longer have to boil their water, but there are lingering concerns about water quality. — Bracey Harris, NBC News, 17 Oct. 2022 Russia’s Emergencies Ministry said there was no longer a threat to nearby houses. — Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2022 Nashville: Public housing agencies in Tennessee can no longer include provisions in their leases that bar tenants from having guns in their homes, a state appeals panel has ruled. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 17 Oct. 2022 Clerks are no longer allowed to fill in missing witness address information on absentee ballot envelopes. — Bill Glauber, Journal Sentinel, 17 Oct. 2022 That may dispel some market concerns that the government no longer cared much about economic growth, UBS analysts said. — Laura He, CNN, 17 Oct. 2022 When figures like that proved typical of the era, legalization advocates, no longer able to sell the lottery as a statewide silver bullet, ginned up other strategies instead, often with the help of Scientific Games. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2022 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective 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 Read More undefined With an investor on board, L.A. Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, the Beckham group is ready to buy the county land for $9 million under a no-bid deal using the state’s economic-development laws. — Douglas Hanks And Martin Vassolo, sacbee, 18 May 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Make choosing your next fall lip shade a no-brainer with this 30 percent off deal on a travel-ready set of three of its beloved Lip Maestro shades, which nicely includes a carrying pouch. — Tiffany Dodson, Harper's BAZAAR, 19 Oct. 2022 This may seem like a no-brainer, particularly for a marginalized population that has often been left to its own devices in the face of health crises in this country. — Sarah Stark, SELF, 14 Oct. 2022 But this one felt like the no-brainer of all the major preseason tales. — Kevin Reynolds, The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 Oct. 2022 The Broadduses attempted to sell the house again in 2016 for $1.25 million, but the letters were a no-go for potential buyers. — Shannon Carlin, Time, 13 Oct. 2022 When Handley started Girlie Garage at the end of 2020, the name was a no-brainer. — San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Oct. 2022 Formulated with a blend of micro pearls, a pigment-free, crystal gel base, and carrot oil (an ingredient rich in antioxidants that also helps protect the skin from sun damage), packing this for your next vacation is a no-brainer. — Bianca Lambert, Peoplemag, 5 Oct. 2022 With access to this immediate data, the founders said the decision to add wellness to their repertoire was a no-brainer. — Olivia Peluso, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022 Surely, though, altering this succession plan isn't possible without publicly accusing Rhaenyra of having bastards, and that's a no-go. — Brendan Morrow, The Week, 2 Oct. 2022 See More

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

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

Learn More About no

Dictionary Entries Near no

NNW

Statistics for no

Last Updated

19 Oct 2022

Cite this Entry

“No.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no. Accessed 30 Oct. 2022.

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More Definitions for no

adverb

\ (ˈ)nō

Kids Definition of no

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

adjective

Kids Definition of no (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : not any has no money

b : hardly any : very little finished in no time

2 : not a I'm no expert

noun

\ ˈnō

plural noes or nos\ ˈnōz

Kids Definition of no (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial

2a : a negative vote or decision

b plural : persons voting in the negative

abbreviation

Medical Definition of no

(Entry 1 of 2)

number

symbol

Medical Definition of No (Entry 2 of 2)

nobelium

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no

Definition of no

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Examples of no in a Sentence

First Known Use of no

History and Etymology for no

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Kids Definition of no

Medical Definition of no

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scour

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no

Definition of no

Synonyms & Antonyms for no

Examples of no in a Sentence

Phrases Containing no

First Known Use of no

History and Etymology for no

Learn More About no

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

Dictionary Entries Near no

Statistics for no

Kids Definition of no

Medical Definition of no

WORD OF THE DAY

scour

Test Your Vocabulary