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no

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adverb, determiner British English pronunciation: no

/nəʊ/

No is used in the following ways:

as an adverb (for giving an answer): 'Would you like some tea?' 'No, thanks.' ♦ 'You are very selfish sometimes.' 'No, I'm not.' (before a comparative adjective or adverb) ♦ She's no taller than Jerry.

as a determiner: There's no butter in the fridge. ♦ No smoking. ♦ He's no fool.

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

more dictionary definitions

See also
Expressing yourself

1
used for making a negative reply mainly spoken
1. a.
  used for giving a negative answer to something that someone asks or offers you
  'Are you still working at the clinic?' 'No, I work at the hospital now.'
  'Haven't we met before?' 'No, I don't think so.'
  'Do you want another cup of coffee?' 'No, thanks. I've had enough.'
  say no:
  I'm sorry, but I'll have to say no this time.
  the answer is no (=used for saying very firmly that someone must stop asking for something):
  For the last time, the answer is no!
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
2. b.
  used for saying that a statement someone has made is not true
  'You're always blaming me whenever something goes wrong.' 'No, I'm not.'
  'Kate is Dave's sister.' 'No, she's not – they're cousins.'
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
3. c.
  used for agreeing with a negative statement or for agreeing to a negative request
  'Don't forget to make the reservation'. 'No, I won't'.
  'We're not as young as we used to be'. 'No, we're certainly not'.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
4. d.
  used for showing that you are shocked, surprised, or disappointed about something that someone has just said
  'He drank five pints of beer in an hour.' 'No! Really?'
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
2
not any
1. a.
  used for saying that there is not even one person or thing
  There's absolutely no reason to get up early tomorrow morning.
  I have no living cousins that I know about.
  He had been given almost no opportunity to practise.
  There was no hospital in the town.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
2. b.
  not any amount of something
  There's no time to stop and talk.
  I can't pay – I've no money.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
3
used on signs or in instructions to say that something is not allowed
No smoking.
She had completely ignored the 'No Entry' sign.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
1. a.
  used for telling someone, especially a child, not to do something
  No! Don't touch that, it's hot.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
4
not at all
1. a.
  used for saying that someone or something cannot be described in a particular way
  It is no surprise that the company failed.
  I'm no expert on Japan, but I feel sure the economy will improve dramatically.
  He's no fool – he can see what you're trying to do.
2. b.
  used before words such as 'small' or 'great' when they are used before nouns to give them the opposite meaning
  Getting the two men to sit down together and talk was no small achievement.
  After the argument he stopped speaking to me, but actually it was no great loss.
3. c.
  used before adjectives and adverbs
  I enjoy tennis, but I'm no good at it.
  I asked Jane if she knew, but she was no help.
  We played no better or worse than usual.
5
spoken used as a way of correcting something that you have just said
I gave him four pounds – no, five.
It was last Wednesday – no, Thursday.
6
spoken used as a way of emphasizing the negative meaning of what you have said
He didn't explain anything. No, we just had to figure it out for ourselves.

phrases

there's no knowing/saying/telling etc
it is impossible to know/say etc what is true or what will happen next
There's no saying what they might be capable of achieving.
There's no telling how much she overheard.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no
won't take no for an answer
spoken
used for saying that someone is very determined that you should do what they want, especially that you should accept their offer or invitation
You're coming to the wedding. I won't take no for an answer.
They were so keen for me to join their party, they just wouldn't take no for an answer.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of no

See also

can¹

Expressing yourself: no

Ways of saying no

I'm afraid not	a polite way of saying no
Not really	used when saying no without being definite
I don't think so/Not as far as I know	used when you think that you know something but are not completely sure
Certainly not/Definitely not	used for emphasizing that your answer to a question or request is definitely no
Of course not	used to say no when you think an idea is stupid or insulting
I couldn't/No thanks	used when politely saying no to something that someone has offered you
Not likely/No way	an informal and very definite way of saying no
You must be joking!	an informal way of saying no that shows that you think somebody's suggestion or request is crazy

Examples:

'Are you coming tonight?' 'I'm afraid not, I have to work.'

'Is there something special you'd like to do for your birthday?' 'Not really, I'd be happy to stay at home.'

'Has Mr Smith checked out of his hotel yet?' 'Not as far as I know, no.'

'Can I stay up to watch the film?' 'Certainly not, it's time you went to bed!'

'You didn't tell Paul what I said, did you?' 'Of course not, you're my friend!'

'Would you like some cake?' 'No thanks/I couldn't, I've just had a big lunch.'

'Are you going to apologize to them?' 'No way! It's all their fault!'

'Are you coming up the mountain with us, then?' 'You must be joking! I'm not going out in this weather.'

➡ yes

This is the British English definition of no. View American English definition of no.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

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