1
a
chiefly Scotland
: not
b
—used as a function word to express the negative of an alternative choice or possibility
shall we go out to dinner or no
2
: in no respect or degree
—used in comparisons
you're no better than the rest of us
3
: not so
—used to express negation, dissent, denial, or refusal
no, I'm not going
4
—used with a following adjective to imply a meaning expressed by the opposite positive statement
in no uncertain terms
5
—used as a function word to emphasize a following negative or to introduce a more emphatic, explicit, or comprehensive statement
it's big, no, it's gigantic
6
—used as an interjection to express surprise, doubt, or incredulity
7
—used in combination with a verb to form a compound adjective
no-bake pie
8
: in negation
shook his head no
1
a
: not any
no parking
no disputing the decision
b
: hardly any : very little
finished in no time
2
: not a : quite other than a
he's no expert
3
—used in combination with a noun to form a compound adjective
a no-nonsense realist
plural noes or nos
ˈnōz 
1
: an act or instance of refusing or denying by the use of the word no : denial
received a firm no in reply
2
a
: a negative vote or decision
b
noes or nos plural
: persons voting in the negative
1
north; northern
2
[Latin numero, ablative of numerus]
number
No
5 of 6less common spelling of noh
nobelium
Examples of no in a Sentence
Adverb
She shook her head no.
this cake is no better than the last one we made
Adjective
She said she had no money.
I wanted no part of the plan.
They showed no concern for my feelings.
people with little or no experience with computers
Noun
There were 110 ayes and only 16 noes.
The noes raised their hands.
Recent Examples on the Web
Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
And Thanksgiving is no different, although picking the right potluck dish for the biggest food holiday of the year can be daunting.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Jenna West, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The bill advanced by the House Ways and Means Committee last week also includes a no tax on tips provision.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
Each yes is a no to something else.
—Arianna Huffington, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Trump travels to Tokyo on Monday to meet new Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, and sorting out this confusion will no doubt be at the top of her agenda.
—Charlie Campbell, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
And Thanksgiving is no different, although picking the right potluck dish for the biggest food holiday of the year can be daunting.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
The answer was unequivocally no.
—Jenna West, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
The bill advanced by the House Ways and Means Committee last week also includes a no tax on tips provision.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,ana Teresa Solá, CNBC, 21 May 2025
Noun
So, put me down as a hard no on breaking.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 25 Oct. 2025
Each yes is a no to something else.
—Arianna Huffington, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for no
Cite this Entry
“No.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
no
1 of 3 adverb1
—used to express the negative of an alternative
shall we go to the game or no
2
: in no respect or degree
—used in comparisons
it is no better than I expected it to be
3
: not so
—used to express disagreement or refusal
no, I'm not hungry
4
—used with a following adjective to imply a meaning expressed by the opposite positive statement
no uncertain terms
5
—used to emphasize a following negative or to introduce a statement that is clearer or has more emphasis
has the right, no, the duty, to continue
6
—used to express surprise, doubt, or disbelief
no—you don't say
no
2 of 3 adjective1
a
: not any
has no money
b
: hardly any : very little
finished in no time
2
: not a
I'm no expert
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