not

adverb

Save Word

\ ˈnät

Definition of not

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 —used as a function word to make negative a group of words or a word

2 —used as a function word to stand for the negative of a preceding group of words is sometimes hard to see and sometimes not

NOT

noun

\ ˈnät

Definition of NOT (Entry 2 of 2)

: a logical operator (see operator sense 3a) that produces a statement that is the inverse (see inverse entry 2 sense 3a) of an input statement

Examples of not in a Sentence

Adverb He was standing not six feet away from me. The bullet passed not five inches from my head!

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb Locals sign up for the event, but don't be surprised if celebrities make an appearance. — Jessica Hice, Indianapolis Star, 6 July 2017 Can't wait to see this come to life on the big screen. — Sarah Wu, Teen Vogue, 6 July 2017 Exercise isn’t boring with these four innovative (and wacky) fitness routines. — Alexandra Sifferlin, Time, 6 July 2017 Veil survived the Holocaust, but her mother, father and brother did not. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, 6 July 2017 And the bloodbath won’t end soon: this winter, a report by Moody’s Investors Service found that debt maturities were on their way to record levels in the next five years. — Phil Wahba, PEOPLE.com, 6 July 2017 The June coaching change didn't sacrifice a good recruiting class. — Bill Landis, cleveland.com, 6 July 2017 Still, as Deadline noted on Friday, True Detective has not received the formal green light for a third season. — Esquire Editors, Esquire, 6 July 2017 Their joint celebration on the Fourth isn't Affleck and Garner's first reunion since filing for divorce. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, 5 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'not.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.