ENGLISH
REFERENCE

never

adv.
US //ˈnɛvɝ// UK //nˈɛvɐ// nev·er
  1. 1 not previously (adv.)
    A2 Elementary

    not at any time before now.

    not on any prior occasion; used to emphasize that an experience is new.

    Example

    I have never seen such a beautiful sunset in my life.

    Example

    The researchers noted that such a biological phenomenon had never been documented in this specific climate zone before their study.

    • not before
Origin

From Middle English nevere, navere, nævere, from Old English nǣfre (“never”), equivalent to ne + ever.

Word family
Idioms13 entries

© 2026 English Reference