Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

of course not

idiom

Definition of of course not

—used informally to say no in a way that shows one is very definite
  • "Are you angry with me for being late?" "Of course not!"
  • "Did you take the money?" "Of course not!"

Word by Word Definitions

course play

  1. : the act or action of moving in a path from point to point

  2. : the path over which something moves or extends: such as

  3. : racecourse

  1. : to follow close upon : pursue

  2. : to hunt or pursue (game) with hounds

  3. : to cause (dogs) to run (as after game)

See the full definition of course

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up of course not? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games