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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | na, from ne 'not' + a 'always' |
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no1 S1 W1
1 used to give a negative reply to a question, offer, or request [≠ yes]: 
'Are you Italian?' 'No, I'm Spanish.''Could you help me write this?' 'No, sorry, I haven't got time at the moment.' Sixty percent of people voted no.
'Are you Italian?' 'No, I'm Spanish.''Could you help me write this?' 'No, sorry, I haven't got time at the moment.'Sixty percent of people voted no.2 spoken used to say that you disagree with a statement : 'You're always complaining about work.' 'No, I'm not!'
'You're always complaining about work.' 'No, I'm not!'3 spoken used to say that you agree with a negative statement : 'They shouldn't drive so fast.' 'No, it's really dangerous.'
'They shouldn't drive so fast.' 'No, it's really dangerous.'4 spoken used to tell someone not to do something : No, Jimmy, don't touch that switch.
No, Jimmy, don't touch that switch.5 spoken used to show that you are shocked, surprised, annoyed, or disappointed by what someone has just told you, or by what has just happened : 'She's nearly fifty.' 'No, you're kidding!'
'She's nearly fifty.' 'No, you're kidding!'6 spoken used to correct what you have just said : He's the director, no, the assistant director, of the company.
He's the director, no, the assistant director, of the company.7 if someone won't take no for an answer, they are determined that you should agree to do something : He insists on taking us all out to dinner and he won't take no for an answer.
won't take no for an answer
He insists on taking us all out to dinner and he won't take no for an answer.8 used before comparatives to mean 'not even a small amount' : I'll pay you $75 and no more. You're no better than the rest of them.
I'll pay you $75 and no more.You're no better than the rest of them.