nary a

Idioms  

1. Not one, as in There's nary a mention of taxes in that speech, or Nary an officer could be seen. This archaic-sounding contraction of “never a” remains in current use. [Mid-1700s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nary a

The finished dessert was a cake baked to perfection, with nary a crack, dome or sunken center in sight.

From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026

Madame Pernelle, too, worships at the shrine of Tartuffe, but has nary a good word, and many a bad one, for anyone else.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 17, 2025

But what do you call the grief that comes when the modern world leaves nary a trace of the place that raised you?

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2025

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 ● May 16, 2025

He rose, and took his leave with nary a backward glance.

From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin