never

[nev-er]

adverb

1. not ever; at no time.

   Such an idea never occurred to me.

2. not at all; absolutely not.

   never mind;

   This will never do.

3. to no extent or degree.

   He was never the wiser for his experience.

never

/ ˈnɛvə /

adverb

1. at no time; not ever

2. certainly not; by no means; in no case

interjection

1. Also: well I never!. surely not!

Usage

In informal speech and writing, never can be used instead of not with the simple past tenses of certain verbs for emphasis ( I never said that; I never realized how clever he was ), but this usage should be avoided in serious writing

Word History and Origins

Origin of never¹

First recorded before 900; from Middle English, from Old English nǣfre, equivalent to ne “not” + ǣfre ever ( def. ); neither ( def. ), nought ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of never¹

Old English nǣfre, from ne not + æfre _ever

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. never cease to amaze. never cease to amaze.

2. never mind, don't bother; don't concern yourself.

More idioms and phrases containing never

• better late than never
• it never rains but it pours
• lightning never strikes twice
• now or never
• watched pot never boils
• wonders will never cease
• you never can tell

Example Sentences

Prosecutors acknowledged during a Wednesday hearing that a full grand jury never reviewed the final charging document.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The defence ministry said the devices "departed and were never recovered".

Read more on BBC

She suspects that her résumé never reaches a real person because of AI filters.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I just never imagined it would apply to my retirement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The video opens up on them, then it pans away and it goes to me and you never see them again.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times