DictionaryAI

never

NEV-ur/ˈnɛv.ɚ/NEV-uh/ˈnɛv.ə(ɹ)/

4 meanings of never

Practice

  1. 1
    at no timeadverb
    Not at any time, not even once.

    My grandfather never learned to swim.

    We never lock the front door at night.

    UsagePut it before the main verb: I never eat meat, but I am never late.

    Oppositealways, ever

  2. 2
    adverbcolloquial
    Used in everyday speech to mean 'did not' about one past action.

    I never said that to her, I promise.

    I was watching him, and he never touched your bike.

    Note
  3. 3
    defiant nointerjection
    Said with force to show you will absolutely not do something.

    "Hand over the keys." "Never!"

    Never! I won't betray my friends.

    Similarno

    Oppositeyes

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    interjectioncolloquialBritishbritish
    Said when you hear some news and are surprised or find it hard to believe.

    "Tom's moving to Australia next month." "Never! He hates flying."

    "I passed my driving test first time." "Never! Well done, mate!"

    UsageSay it alone as a reply. Well, I never! is old-fashioned.

    Similarreally

Practice

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Origin

From Old English nǣfre, made from ne ("not") plus ever.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts