DictionaryAI

nor

conjunction
NOR/nɔɹ/UKNAW/nɔː/

4 meanings of nor

Practice

  1. 1
    after neitherconjunctionformal
    Used after 'neither' to join two or more things and show that none of them is true.

    Like putting a 'no' in front of every item on a list so nothing is left.

    I like neither tea nor coffee.

    The room was neither warm nor cold.

    UsageUse with neither: neither milk nor bread.

    Note
  2. 2
    neitherconjunctionarchaic
    Used instead of 'neither' before the first of two negative things, in older writing.

    Nor sun nor moon gave any light that night.

    I love your majesty / According to my bond, nor more nor less.
    c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”Here, the first nor means neither: neither more nor less.
    Note
  3. 3
    also notconjunction
    Used to mean 'and not', usually to add one more negative idea after another one.

    Like starting a sentence with 'and not' to add one more thing that did not happen.

    He did not know what to say next, nor did he want to speak.

    She couldn't find her keys, nor could she find her phone.

    UsageSay nor did he, nor could she: verb first.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    thanconjunctiondialectalUK
    Used in some British dialects to mean 'than' when comparing two things.

    She's older nor me by two years.

    This road is longer nor the other one.

    Similarthan

    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Middle English "nauther," from "nother." It is related to "neither."

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts