English

no

gb/nˈoʊ/ us/nˈoʊ/
A1 English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
interjection A1 action
1

Used to refuse or disagree

You say this when you do not agree or do not want something.

Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'not' alone instead of 'no' to answer a question directly, which can sound unnatural. For example, 'Not' instead of 'No'.
Synonyms
nope (Informal and casual form of 'no'.)
Antonyms
yes (Indicates agreement or acceptance, opposite of refusal.)
Collocations
No way |No thanks |No problem
Themes
daily life |communication |emotions |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • No, I don't think that's a good idea.
  • No, I can't come to the meeting tomorrow.
  • No, that's not what I meant.
  • No, I haven't seen that movie yet.
Learner examples
  • No, I don't like it.
  • No, I am not hungry.
  • No, she is not here.
  • No, it is not my bag.
determiner A1 quantity
2

Not any; zero quantity

Used before a noun to mean zero of something.

Usage pattern: no [countable/uncountable noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'no' and 'not any'; both are correct but 'no' is shorter and more direct.
Synonyms
none ('None' often stands alone without a noun; 'no' is used before a noun.)
Antonyms
some (Indicates an indefinite positive quantity, opposite of none.)
Collocations
no time |no money |no chance
Themes
daily life |communication |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • There is no milk left in the fridge.
  • He has no friends in this city.
  • We had no problems during the trip.
Learner examples
  • There is no water.
  • I have no pen.
  • She has no car.
  • We have no bread.
Noun A2 entity
3

A negative reply or decision

The word you say to mean you do not agree or accept.

Usage pattern: to give/say a no
Synonyms
refusal (More formal than 'no', often used in written contexts.)
Antonyms
yes (Positive answer or agreement)
Collocations
a firm no |say no |get a no
Themes
communication |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • Her boss gave her a firm no to the proposal.
  • Sometimes it's hard to say no to friends.
  • The committee's decision was a clear no.
Learner examples
  • He said no to my idea.
  • I got a no from her.
  • It is hard to say no.
Grammar
Dictionary form
no
IPA
GB/nˈoʊ/
US/nˈoʊ/
Syllables & stress
no (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (no)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: no
  • Plural: nos
Word family
Forms
nos noun
Core family
not adverb A1 none pronoun A2
Related words
nothing pronoun A1 nobody pronoun A1 nowhere adverb A2 never adverb A1
Negative and opposite forms
yes interjection A1
Expressions

no longer

1
/nˈoʊ lˈɔŋɡɚ/
fixed phrase

Not happening or existing now

Used to say something stopped happening or being true.

Examples
  • She no longer works here.
  • This road is no longer safe for driving.

no way

1
/nˈoʊ wˈeɪ/
idiom informal

Impossible or absolutely not allowed

Used to say something cannot happen or you will not allow it.

Examples
  • No way am I lending you my car!
  • There's no way we can finish on time.

no way!

1
/nˈoʊ wˈeɪ ‖/
idiom informal

Strong expression of surprise or disbelief

Used when you are very surprised or find something hard to believe.

Examples
  • No way! You actually met the president?
  • No way! I can’t believe you finished it so quickly.

no doubt

1
/nˈoʊ dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase

Without uncertainty; certainly

Used to say you are sure about something.

Examples
  • No doubt she will pass the exam easily.
  • There’s no doubt that this is the best choice.

no doubt

2
/nˈoʊ dˈaʊt/
fixed phrase

Complete certainty; without question

Used to show you are sure about something.

Examples
  • He will win the race, no doubt about it.
  • No doubt she will be late again.

no problem

1
/nˈoʊ pɹˈɑbləm/
fixed phrase informal

it's not difficult or inconvenient

Used to say that something can be done easily or that you are happy to do it.

Examples
  • "Can you help me move this table?" "No problem."
  • "Thanks for lending me your book." "No problem."

no problem

2
/nˈoʊ pɹˈɑbləm/
fixed phrase

Not difficult; not an issue

Used to say something is easy or okay to do.

Examples
  • Can you help me with this? — No problem!
  • It was no problem to fix the leak.

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