nary

[nair-ee]

adjective

Older Use.

1. not any; no; never a.

   nary a sound.

nary

/ ˈnɛərɪ /

adverb

1. dialect,  not; never

   nary a man was left

Word History and Origins

Origin of nary¹

First recorded in 1740–50; variant of ne'er a never a

Word History and Origins

Origin of nary¹

C19: variant of ne'er a never a

Example Sentences

The stadium, to Epstein’s relief, was filled to the brim with nary an empty seat to be found.

From Salon

A silver Cuban link chain draped her neck, fuzzy slippers hugged her feet, her makeup precisely applied and nary a hair out of place — the embodiment of smooth.

From Los Angeles Times

Some pestos throughout Italy also lean more toward a romesco-style sauce, using tomatoes or roasted peppers with nary a green in sight.

From Salon

Follow award-winning food writer Andrews and chef-proprietor Clark as they start at the latter’s Dad’s Luncheonette in Half Moon Bay and wind up in Ventura County, missing nary a delicious stop along the way.

From Los Angeles Times

They waved Mexican flags and Salvadoran and Venezuelan ones, with nary an Old Glory in sight.

From Los Angeles Times