Not
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /nɒt/ · Part of speech adverb
Quick meaning: Not is an adverb meaning Negates the meaning of the modified verb.
Meaning
Negates the meaning of the modified verb.
More Meanings
- To no degree.
- (litotes) Used to indicate the opposite or near opposite, often in a form of understatement.
- Used before a determiner phrase, a pronominal phrase etc. to convey a negative attitude (e.g. denial, sadness, anger) towards something.
- And not.
- An instance of using the word “not”; a negation or denial.
- (ironic, informal, originally African-American Vernacular) Used before a non-finite clause (especially a gerund-participial clause) or less commonly a determiner phrase to ironically convey some attitude (e.g. surprise, incredulity, amusement, embarrassment) towards something.
- (slang) Used to indicate that the previous phrase was meant sarcastically or ironically.
Example Sentences
Not knowing any better, I went ahead.
It was felt desirable that she not leave school before fourteen.
Not a day passes when I don't regret not having enrolled in medicine.
Oh, Pete. This is not the gym. — That’s right, Anna. This is the mailroom.
Word Forms
- nots
Synonyms for not
Depending on context, synonyms include psych, bender.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include renowned, known, celebrated, famed, illustrious, notable.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “not” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.