no-no

[ noh-noh ]

See synonyms for: no-no no-nos on Thesaurus.com

noun,plural no-nos, no-no's.Informal.

anything that is forbidden or not advisable, as because of being improper or unsafe: If you want to lose weight, rich desserts are a no-no.

Origin of no-no

1940–45, Americanism; reduplication of no¹

Words Nearby no-no

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use no-no in a sentence

Basically, pre-marital sex is a big no-no and could land Justin Brent in hot water.
Porn Stars Are People Too, Dammit: Lisa Ann’s Notre Dame Date and the Trolling of David Gregory | Aurora Snow | October 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Not all scientists agree that artificial sweeteners are a no-no when it comes to your health and diet.
Are Artificial Sweeteners Wrecking Your Diet? | DailyBurn | September 30, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But Samuragochi received sole credit, and such an arrangement would be a complete no-no in the symphonic realm.
Japan’s Beloved Deaf Composer is Neither Deaf Nor a Composer | Jimmy So | February 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Converting at birth the children of non-Jewish mothers is now a no-no.
In Italy, a Traditional Jewish Lifestyle is Disappearing | Anna Momigliano | December 13, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
So beware of keyhole cutouts or string bottoms—those are a preschool fashion no-no.
7 Silliest Summer TV News Segments | Natasha Bach, Sara Bower, Samantha Guff | July 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

That was another no-no -- phones are muy prohibido at Chavez High -- but why should that stop me?
Little Brother | Cory Doctorow
I just said, ‘no-no-no-no,’ and ran out of the room, and out of the house up into the orchard.
The Heart's Country | Mary Heaton Vorse
no-no, that won't do; you mustn't talk, and you mustn't retch and gag that way, either—you'll wake up your poor brother.
Those Extraordinary Twins | Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
They're going to take no-no home, then we're all going to the movies.
Ruggles of Red Gap | Harry Leon Wilson
no-no-no-no—not all—but the worst of them are good enough to admire him.
Such Things Are | Mrs. Inchbald

British Dictionary definitions for Nono

Nono

/ (Italian ˈnɔːno) /

noun

Luigi (luˈiːdʒi). 1924–90, Italian composer of 12-tone music

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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