no

no1 [ nou ] function word, quantifier ***

No is used in the following ways:

as an adverb (for giving an answer):

Would you like some tea? No, thanks.

You are very selfish sometimes. No, I'm not. (before a comparative adjective or adverb)

She's no taller than Jerry.

as a determiner:

There's no butter in the fridge.

No smoking.

He's no fool.

1. ) used for making a negative reply MAINLY SPOKEN

a ) used for giving a negative answer to something that someone asks or offers you:

Are you still working at the clinic? No, I work at the hospital now.

Haven't we met before? No, I don't think so.

Do you want another cup of coffee? No, thanks. I've had enough.

say no: I'm sorry, but I'll have to say no this time.

the answer is no (=used for saying very firmly that someone must stop asking for something): For the last time, the answer is no!

b ) used for saying that a statement someone has made is not true:

You're always blaming me whenever something goes wrong. No, I'm not.

Sheryl is Tyler's sister. No, she's not they're cousins.

c ) used for agreeing with a negative statement or agreeing to a negative request:

Don't forget to make the reservation. No, I won't.

We're not as young as we used to be. No, we're certainly not.

d ) used for showing that you are shocked, surprised, or disappointed about something that someone has just said:

He drank five bottles of beer in an hour. No! Really?

2. ) not any

a ) used for saying that there is not even one person or thing:

There's absolutely no reason to get up early tomorrow morning.

I have no living cousins that I know about.

He had been given almost no opportunity to practice.

There was no hospital in the town.

b ) not any amount of something:

There's no time to stop and talk.

I can't pay I've got no money.

3. ) not allowed used on signs or in instructions to say that something is not allowed:

No smoking.

She had completely ignored the No Entry sign.

a ) used for telling someone, especially a child, not to do something:

No! Don't touch that, it's hot.

4. ) not at all

a ) used for saying that someone or something cannot be described in a particular way:

It is no surprise that an increasing number of companies are setting up web sites.

I'm no expert on Japan, but I feel sure the economy will improve dramatically.

He's no fool he can see what you're trying to do.

b ) used before words such as small or great when they are used before nouns to give them the opposite meaning:

Getting the two men to sit down together and talk was no small achievement.

After the argument he stopped speaking to me, but actually it was no great loss.

c ) used before adjectives and adverbs:

I enjoy tennis, but I'm no good at it.

I asked Marlys if she knew, but she was no help.

We played no better or worse than usual.

5. ) used for correcting yourself SPOKEN used as a way of correcting something that you have just said:

I gave him four dollars no, five.

It was last Wednesday no, Thursday.

6. ) used for emphasizing what you have said SPOKEN used as a way of emphasizing the negative meaning of what you have said:

He didn't explain anything. No, we just had to figure it out for ourselves.

in no time

in a very short time:

He helped her when she needed someone, and in no time they fell in love.

there's no knowing/saying/telling etc.

it is impossible to know/say etc. what is true or what will happen next:

There's no saying what they might be capable of achieving.

There's no telling how much she overheard.

won't take no for an answer SPOKEN

used for saying that someone is very determined that you should do what they want, especially that you should accept their offer or invitation:

You're coming to the wedding. I won't take no for an answer.

=> CAN1

no

no 2 [ nou ] (plural noes) noun count

a negative answer or vote:

His answer was a firm no.

There were more noes than yeses to the proposal.