Definition of not
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
From the M-W Editors
Examples of not in a Sentence
He was standing not six feet away from me.
The bullet passed not five inches from my head!
Origin and Etymology of not
Middle English, alteration of nought, from nought, pronoun — more at naught
Origin and Etymology of not
not
NOT Defined for English Language Learners
not
playDefinition of not for English Language Learners
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—used to form the negative of modal verbs (such as “should” and “could”) and auxiliary verbs (such as “do” and “have”)
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—used with a negative word to make a positive statement
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—used humorously at the end of a positive statement to show that you really meant the opposite
NOT Defined for Kids
not
playDefinition of not for Students
1 —used to make a word or group of words negative The books are not here.
2 —used to stand for the negative of a group of words that comes before It is sometimes hard to see and sometimes not.
Learn More about not
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See words that rhyme with not Spanish Central: Translation of not Nglish: Translation of not for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of not for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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