no
no
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "no" is /noʊ/.
/noʊ/
Word Form Variations
There are no word form variations (like singular, plural, verb tenses, etc.) for the word "no." It primarily functions as an adverb, an interjection, or a determiner, and its form does not change.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adverb
Definition 1: Used to express a negative response or denial; the opposite of "yes."
Synonyms: nay, negative, not at all, by no means
Antonyms: yes, indeed, certainly, absolutely
Definition 2: Not any; none. Used to indicate the absence or non-existence of something.
Synonyms: none, zero, nil, not a single
Antonyms: some, any, a few, several
Determiner
Definition 1: Not one; not any. Used before a noun to indicate that something is completely absent or non-existent.
Synonyms: zero, not a single, not any
Antonyms: some, any, a, one
Interjection
Definition 1: An exclamation used to express refusal, disagreement, or prohibition.
Synonyms: never, absolutely not, by no means, perish the thought
Antonyms: yes, okay, alright, sure
Definition 2: An exclamation used to express surprise, shock, or dismay.
Synonyms: really?!, impossible!, unbelievable!, oh my!
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often silence or a calm affirmative like "yes")
Examples of Use
Books:
"The two men faced each other, a silent standoff. 'No,' whispered the younger, a tremor in his voice, 'I won't do it.'" (From The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck)
"There was no turning back once the decision had been made; the path ahead was clear, if arduous." (From 1984 by George Orwell)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted 'no' on the proposed zoning change, citing concerns about traffic congestion." ( The New York Times)
"Kenya recorded no new COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day, offering a glimmer of hope." ( Daily Nation)
Online Publications:
"Why saying 'no' can be a powerful tool for productivity and mental well-being." ( Forbes.com)
"The recent economic report indicates there's no immediate end in sight for rising inflation." ( Bloomberg.com)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Character looks at a difficult choice) "No... I can't do it." (From The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 2001)
Television: (Parent to child) "No running in the house!" (From an episode of Bluey, Season 3)
Music: "And I said, 'No, no, no.'" (From the song "Rehab" by Amy Winehouse, 2006)
Video Games: (Player attempting an invalid action) "No, you cannot go that way." (Common in many open-world RPGs, e.g., The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, 2015)
Podcast: "Our guest today made it clear: there was 'no' compromise on ethical sourcing for their product." (From How I Built This with Guy Raz, NPR)
General Public Discourse:
(At a restaurant) "No, thank you, I'm just having water."
(Responding to a question) "Is there any milk left?" "No, it's all gone."
(A sign) "No Entry."
(During a debate) "We can have no faith in a system that allows such inequalities."
10 Quotes Using No
"No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main." (John Donne, 1624)
"There's no place like home." (Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz, 1939 film)
"Just say 'No'." (Nancy Reagan, 1980s anti-drug campaign)
"No more war! Never again war! If you wish to be brothers, drop your weapons." (Pope Paul VI, 1965)
"No pain, no gain." (Popularized by Jane Fonda in the 1980s, but with ancient origins)
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." (Eleanor Roosevelt)
"No good deed goes unpunished." (Often attributed to Oscar Wilde, but the sentiment dates back to the 12th century)
"I have no regrets." (Often attributed to Edith Piaf, but a widely used sentiment)
"The answer is always 'no' until you ask the question." (James A. Scott)
"No country can truly develop if half its population is left behind." (Kofi Annan)
Etymology
The word "no" in English has a very old and strong history, going way back to the earliest forms of language.
Essentially, "no" comes from combining two very old pieces of words:
The first part, "ne-", is a super ancient root word (from what linguists call Proto-Indo-European, a language thought to be the ancestor of many languages in Europe and Asia) that simply meant "not." You can see similar "n" sounds for "not" in many other languages even today, like "non" in French or "nein" in German.
The second part, "-a" or "-o", comes from an even older root word meaning "ever" or "at all" (like in "always" or "eternal").
So, when you put these two parts together, "no" literally means something like "not ever" or "not at all." This shows how absolute and strong a refusal or denial "no" is. It's not just "not now," but "not at any time."
In English, the word "no" appeared in its current form during the Old English period, which was before the year 1100. It was used to express a negative answer or to mean "not any" or "not one." Before "no" fully developed, English also used words like "nay," which came from a similar root and meant much the same thing.
Phrases + Idioms Containing No
No problem: An expression of agreement or to indicate something is easy or not an issue.
No way! An exclamation of disbelief or strong refusal.
No comment: Refusal to answer a question, typically to avoid revealing information.
No big deal: To indicate that something is not important or serious.
No doubt: Used to express certainty.
No wonder: Used to express that something is not surprising.
No pain, no gain: You have to work hard or endure hardship to achieve something.
No dice: Used to say that something is impossible or not allowed.
No rest for the wicked: Said when someone has to continue working or doing something, even when tired.
No holds barred: Without any rules or limits.
No thanks: A polite refusal.
No kidding: Used to express surprise, or to agree with something obvious.
No matter what: Regardless of the circumstances.
No brainer: Something that is very easy to decide or understand.
No room to swing a cat: A very small or cramped space.
No stone unturned: To make every possible effort to find something or achieve something.
No love lost (between them): Used to say that two people dislike each other intensely.
No skin off my nose: It doesn't concern or affect me.
No go: Not possible or allowed.
No news is good news: The absence of information suggests that nothing bad has happened.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of no from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
