Definition and meaning of English word "not"
not
/nɒt/
Meaning
VerbNegates the meaning of the modified verb.
How to use
The word 'not' is a versatile negator that can be used in various contexts, including formal and informal writing, as well as spoken language. It is often used to express negation, contradiction, or refusal, and can be employed in conjunction with other words to convey a range of meanings. For example, in the sentence 'I am not going to the store,' the word 'not' is used to indicate a refusal or negation of the action. However, it's worth noting that the word 'not' can sometimes be misused in sentences where it's used as a substitute for 'no,' as in 'I not going to the store,' which is grammatically incorrect.
🇬🇧 English
not
Example
I am not here.
She is not home.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationCommon phrases
- not a chance— not a chance
- not on your life— not on your life
- not in a million years— not in a million years
- not a word— not a word
- not a problem— not a problem
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #60 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "not" mean?▼
The English word "not" means "not" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "not"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "not" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "not"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Negative response" (which translates as "not").
More Adverbs & Numbers words
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