never

American  

[nev-er] / ˈnɛv ər /

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.

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idioms

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

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

never British  

/ ˈnɛvə /

adverb

1. at no time; not ever

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

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interjection

1. Also: well I never!.  surely not!

never More Idioms  

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

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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

Etymology

Origin of never

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

Example Sentences

Mr. Matthews never received a clear answer from the congresswoman that day, and more than a decade later, we’re still waiting for one.

From The Wall Street Journal

"But never underestimate a woman of a certain age," she chuckled to the camera.

From BBC

"It's so important to have the tissue stored properly, and that people are aware of the options they have. I was never told there was a vaccine available."

From BBC

The match in Rabat, between two of the continent's leading nations, had the makings of the tie of the round but never quite lived up to its billing.

From Barron's

"They could never return to Cuba as long as Castro remained in power. That made them exiles in their hearts, and in mine."

From Barron's