WordGarden.iono
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /nəʊ/alt-ofalternativearchaicnot-comparableadverb
US
- /ˈnoʊ/
Meanings
Determiner
not any; zero in amount
Interjection
used to give a negative answer, refusal, or disagreement
Adverb
not at all; to no degree
Noun
a negative answer, refusal, or vote against something
Beyond the definition
"No" is one of the first words many people learn, and it is very useful. We use it to refuse something, disagree with something, answer a question in the negative, or show that something is not allowed or not possible. A child might shout "No!" when told to eat vegetables, while an adult might say "No, thank you" to refuse an offer. Sometimes "no" stands alone as a full answer. It can also come before a noun to show none or not any, as in "There is no time" or "No dogs allowed." The meaning depends on the situation and the speaker's tone.
The word "no" is simple in form but broad in use. At its core, it expresses a negative answer or a denial of something asked, offered, suggested, or expected. When someone asks, "Do you want some tea?" the answer "No" means refusal or rejection. In this sense, it is the direct opposite of "yes."
"No" can be a complete sentence and often carries strong meaning by itself. At the same time, people often add other words to make it softer, clearer, or stronger, such as "No, thank you," "No, I'm sorry," or "No way!" Tone matters a lot. The same word can sound gentle, firm, angry, playful, or shocked depending on how it is said.
The word also works before nouns to show that something is absent, unavailable, or not allowed. In sentences like "There is no milk," "He has no choice," and "No visitors today," it means "not any" or "none." This use is very common in both speech and writing. It also appears in fixed phrases such as "no problem," "no longer," and "no more," where it helps shape the meaning of the whole expression.
Historically, "no" comes from Old English nā, related to ideas like "not" and "never." Over time, it remained short, clear, and essential. Whether you are refusing an invitation, answering a yes-or-no question, setting a boundary, or saying that something does not exist, "no" is one of the most basic and important tools in English.
Examples
- 1
Polite refusal
"Do you want any more tea?" "No, thank you."
- 2
Availability
There were no seats left on the bus.
- 3
Not knowing
She has no idea where her keys are.
- Phrasehave no idea
not know at all
- 4
Signs and rules
No parking in front of the gate.
- PhraseNo parking
parking is not allowed
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Change over time
We are no longer accepting applications.
- Phraseno longer
not now, though it was true before
- 6
Comparison
The second hotel was no cheaper than the first.
- Patternno cheaper than
not cheaper at all
- 7
Whatever happens
No matter what happens, call me.
- Phraseno matter what
it does not matter what
- 8
Futility
There is no point in arguing about it now.
- Patternthere is no point in doing something
it is not useful to do it
- 9
Strong refusal
"Can I borrow your car tonight?" "No way."
- Usageno way
used to strongly refuse or say something is impossible
- 10
Obvious result
No wonder you're tired; you've been working all day.
- Phraseno wonder
it is not surprising
- 11
Very short time
The repair took no time at all.
- Phraseno time at all
a very short time
- 12
Strong negation
This is by no means an easy problem.
- Phraseby no means
definitely not
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- noadverbnounadjective