# never

/ˈnɛvɝ/ (US) · /nˈɛvɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/never
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. not previously

adverb · CEFR A2

not at any time before now.

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

- I have never seen such a beautiful sunset in my life.
- The researchers noted that such a biological phenomenon had never been documented in this specific climate zone before their study.

## 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.