Word
never
Phoneticsnev·er
US/ˈnɛvɝ/
UK/nˈɛvɐ/
Definition
adv. not at any time before now.
adv. not on any prior occasion; used to emphasize that an experience is new.
Examples
“I never drink coffee after dinner.”
“She has never visited the ocean, despite living only a few hours away from the coast.”
“The diplomat maintained that he would never compromise on the fundamental principles of the treaty, regardless of the pressure applied by the opposing delegation.”
Examples
simple
“I never drink coffee after dinner.”
contextual
“She has never visited the ocean, despite living only a few hours away from the coast.”
complex
“The diplomat maintained that he would never compromise on the fundamental principles of the treaty, regardless of the pressure applied by the opposing delegation.”
Etymology
From Middle English nevere, navere, nævere, from Old English nǣfre (“never”), equivalent to ne + ever.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
Related words
Idioms
a wild goose never laid a tame egg — Most things are inherited and predetermined.
first of never — A nonexistent day; a day that will never come.
I never did — An exclamation of great surprise.
I never miss — I am aware of what is going on; I know what is happening.
never in a million years — Absolutely not.
never in a month of Sundays — At no time whatsoever.
never mind — Let alone; much less.
never the twain shall meet — Used to emphasize that two subjects are so different that they cannot coexist or agree with each other.
never you mind — Do not concern yourself with it; it is none of your business.
now or never — At this sole opportunity or time, or not at all.
Show all 13
sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me — A response to taunting proclaiming the speaker's indifference.
well, I never — An exclamation of great surprise.
you'll never guess — I have something very surprising to say; you won't be able to guess what I'm about to say.
Grammar
The word in film
Never Say Never Again · 1983 · Action
- Directed by:
- Irvin Kershner
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Rowan Atkinson, Klaus Maria Brandauer
Sean Connery returns as James Bond in this 1983 action thriller, marking his final performance as the iconic secret agent. The title plays on the actor's earlier vow that he would not play the character at any time in the future, highlighting how circumstances can change over a decade.