no

/nou/

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Explanation of the Word "No"

Definition: The word "no" is primarily used to indicate a negative response or to express refusal, disagreement, or denial. It can also show a complete lack of something.

Usage Instructions

1. As a Response: Use "no" when you want to refuse something. For example, if someone offers you food and you don't want it, you can say, "No, thank you."

2. To Indicate Lack: You can say "no" to show that there is nothing or zero quantity of something. For example, "We have no bananas left" means there are zero bananas.

3. To Emphasize Negativity: "No" can emphasize that something is not the case. For example, "He is no better today" means he hasn’t improved at all.

Examples

• Refusal: "Do you want to go to the party?" "No, I'm too tired."
• Indicating Lack: "There are no eggs left in the fridge."
• Emphasizing Negativity: "She is no smarter than she was before."

Advanced Usage

• In Questions: "Have you no shame?" is a more formal way to ask if someone lacks decency.
• In Expressions: "No comment" is used when someone chooses not to say anything about a topic.

Word Variants

• Noun: "no" can also be a noun, meaning a refusal, as in "Her no was very decisive."
• Adverb: "no" can be used as an adverb, meaning not at all. For example, "He is no better today" indicates he is not improved in any way.

Different Meanings

1. As a Quantity: "No" can indicate a complete absence of something, like in "There were no cars on the road."
2. As a Response: It can also mean a clear rejection or disagreement, such as "No, I don’t agree with that idea."

Synonyms

• For Refusal: not, never, nay
• For Lack: none, zero, without

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• "No way!": An informal expression meaning "Absolutely not!" or "There is no chance."
• "No skin off my nose": This means that something doesn’t affect you or cause you any trouble.

Conclusion

The word "no" is a very important part of English used in many different situations to express refusal, lack, or to emphasize negativity.

Academic

Adjective

1. quantifier; used with either mass nouns or plural count nouns for indicating a complete or almost complete lack or zero quantity of
   • we have no bananas
   • no eggs left and no money to buy any
   • have you no decency?
   • did it with no help
   • I'll get you there in no time

Noun

1. a radioactive transuranic element synthesized by bombarding curium with carbon ions; 7 isotopes are known
2. a negative
   • his no was loud and clear

Adverb

1. used to express refusal or denial or disagreement etc or especially to emphasize a negative statement
   • no, you are wrong
2. not in any degree or manner; not at all
   • he is no better today
3. referring to the degree to which a certain quality is present
   • he was no heavier than a child

Synonyms

• no
• nobelium
• No
• atomic number 102
• no more