It is the opposite of the word yes, which is a positive term. No is an English word that has a negative meaning. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals. Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023 Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. A sign in a school hallway that says “No running” means that it’s absolutely not allowed.
Examples of “No” in a Sentence
- Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.
- Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
- We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
- This can be straightforward denial or refusal in interactions, such as answering a question with “no” or indicating that something is not allowed or approved.
- The plurals of several other singular words that end in -o are also formed this way, as in mango/mangos/mangoes and mosquito/mosquitos/mosquitoes.
- It serves as a simple yet powerful means of negation, refusal, or disagreement.
Choose the Spelling Bee activity to practice spelling these words. Eke out a victory with this list of two-letter words. Near the end of a Scrabble game, two-letter words reign supreme. Hearing “no” can sometimes lead to feelings of rejection or disappointment. In legal or formal settings, “no” is used to clearly deny permissions or refute assertions.
The word no is only pluralized when it is used as a noun rather than in its more common use as an adverb. The plurals of several other singular words that end in -o are also formed this way, as in mango/mangos/mangoes and mosquito/mosquitos/mosquitoes. This website is using a security golazzo casino service to protect itself from online attacks. Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. The noes raised their hands.
The word no as a noun means “an answer or vote of no” or “a person who votes in the negative,” as in The noes outnumbered the yeses. Learn when to use each word correctly with clear examples. Used to negate the sentence, phrase, or word that it modifies A no is a person who has answered ‘no’ to a question or who has voted against something. You use no to express shock or disappointment at something you have just been told.
More idioms and phrases containing no
Additionally, “no” is used to describe the absence of something when it is expected or supposed to be present. The word “no” is highly versatile and serves as an adverb, noun, and adjective, pivotal in constructing negatives in English. It serves as a simple yet powerful means of negation, refusal, or disagreement. “No” is one of the most commonly used words in many languages around the world. No (adverb, noun, adjective) – Used to describe the absence of something when expected or supposed. These words are not to be confused with the similar sounding words know and knot.
Definition of “No”: Negative Response
Plural word for no The plural form of no can be either nos or noes. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots! Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. Used with question intonation to query a previous negative statement, as in disbelief
Examples of “No” in a Sentence
- Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
- In legal or formal settings, “no” is used to clearly deny permissions or refute assertions.
- The noes raised their hands.
- Plural word for no The plural form of no can be either nos or noes.
- No is primarily negative, but its usage can be neutral, depending on the context.
- A no is a person who has answered ‘no’ to a question or who has voted against something.
- Near the end of a Scrabble game, two-letter words reign supreme.
To access it, add this site to the exceptions or modify your security settings, then refresh this page. How do you use the words ‘few’ and ‘little’ … According to the latest opinion polls, the noes have 50 percent, the yeses 35 percent. No is also used to refer to their answer or vote.
Most languages have a word equivalent to “no,” often used in a similar manner. Yes, “no” can function as a noun, indicating a negative vote or response. No is primarily negative, but its usage can be neutral, depending on the context. The word “no” comes from the Old English na, which was used in Anglo-Saxon texts. Its use varies significantly across different contexts, from casual conversation to formal debates.
You might vote no on a special ballot question about extending school to Saturdays or exclaim, “Oh no!” to express disappointment when your team loses a big game. (a negative used to express dissent, denial, or refusal, as in response to a question or request) Used to express denial, disagreement, refusal, disapproval, disbelief, or acknowledgment of negative statements There are several ways to express the concept of “no” using different words, each bringing a unique tone or formality to the conversation.
This can be straightforward denial or refusal in interactions, such as answering a question with “no” or indicating that something is not allowed or approved. “No” also commonly functions across its grammatical roles to give a negative response or express refusal. No (adverb, noun, adjective) – Used to give a negative response or express refusal. In both sentences and talking, the words “No” and the word “Not” can both be used, though the word “No” is mainly used when speaking to other people.

