Word
none
/ˈnən/
Definitions
01not any
A2 · Elementary
pron. not any of a group of people or things.
pron. not any; not one of a group of people or things. It can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context and desired level of formality.
“I looked for some milk in the fridge, but there was none left.”
“None of the candidates who interviewed for the senior position possessed the specific technical expertise required by the board.”
Pitfall
None of the students has finished.
None of the students have finished.
While 'none' was traditionally singular, in modern English it is very common and acceptable to use a plural verb when referring to a group of people or things.
02not at all
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. not at all, or not any more than before.
adv. to no extent; not at all. Often used before comparative adjectives like 'the wiser' or 'the worse'.
“He explained the math problem again, but I was none the wiser.”
“Despite the significant investment in new machinery, the factory's total output remained none the better for the upgrade.”
Synonyms
03non-religious person
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion American English · Technical
n. a person who does not belong to any particular religion.
n. a person who lacks a formal religious affiliation or identifies as having no religion on a census or survey.
“The survey showed that the number of nones is growing in many cities.”
“Sociologists have noted a sharp increase in the percentage of 'nones' among the younger demographic, reflecting a broader trend toward secularisation.”
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English none, noon, non (“not one”), from Old English nān (“not one, not any, none”), from Proto-West Germanic nain, from Proto-Germanic nainaz (“none, nought, nothing”), equivalent to ne (“not”) + one. (Regarding the different phonological development of only and one, see the note in one.) Cognate with Scots nane (“none”), Saterland Frisian naan, neen (“no, not any, none”), West Frisian neen & gjin (“no, none”), Dutch neen & geen (“no, none”), Low German nēn, neen, keen (“no, none, no one”), German nein & kein (“no, none”), Latin nōn (“not”).
From the first sense, since they respond “none” when asked about their religion; also a play on words on nun.
From French none, from Latin nōna (“ninth; ninth hour”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/none