(used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition).
You must not do that. It's not far from here.
U.S. Slang. (used jocularly as a postpositive interjection to indicate that a previous statement is untrue).
I just love working overtime without pay. Not!
used to negate the sentence, phrase, or word that it modifies
I will not stand for it
( in combination )
they cannot go
Also (archaic): not but what. (conjunction) which is not to say or suppose that
I expect to lose the game — not that I mind
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English; weak variant of nought
The adverb not is used for negation. Do you like drinking cod liver oil? No, I do not like drinking cod liver oil. Not is a powerful word. When Hamlet says "to be or not to be," he is questioning whether he should live or die, the inverse of living. Just be careful of what's called a "double negative," where you use not with another negating word and end up negating your negation. If you say you don't know nothing about something, that means you do know something. Not is often contracted as in don't, or isn't.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“If you are not directly involved in data-center work, the broader construction market feels relatively weak,” an electrical contractor in North Dakota said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
On Tuesday, shortly before the Situation Room meeting, Trump told Fox News that seizing Kharg Island was unlikely but not ruled out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
“Well, I’m not having it, babe ... who would do that to a friend, let alone the one you love.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Then Sotomayor spent three pages on the Title IX question, concurring with the majority that West Virginia’s approach to athletics does not violate Title IX—as the plaintiff presented her argument.
From Slate ● Jul. 15, 2026
His humors may or may not be in balance, but Phineas is resting quietly at last.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
The Mail expands further on Burnham's speech, noting that he "will keep Wigan property as main residence NOT Downing St".
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
Trump said he had informed the US military "that we will NOT be doing the scheduled attack of Iran tomorrow."
From Barron's ● May 18, 2026
Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffith reported that U.S. officials said “this is NOT a restarting of the war.”
From MarketWatch ● May 7, 2026
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said in a statement to the publication, “This is fake news. Bill Maher will NOT be getting this award.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2026
NAVIGATION, YOU SEE, IS NOT just a problem for sailors.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
We are lucky he cares about the fans despite his own not- so- pleasant long and winding road to 75 and beyond.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2019
Instead, around 30 designers of fashionable modest wear- some Muslim and others not- from nearly two dozen countries showcased their long-sleeved and floor-length pieces on large screens.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 29, 2018
"I assumed that it didn't matter who won - it is still a big party. But I guess it's not- I guess there's more politics involved," he said.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2016
Of course not- especially at an elementary school level!
From New York Times ● May 4, 2012
For example, shouldn’t is short for should not-, the apostrophe shows where the o in not was dropped.
From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
