Word
nor
US/ˈnɔɹ/
UK/nˈɔː/
Definitions
01after 'neither'
B1 · Intermediate
conj. used to connect two things that are both not true or not happening.
conj. a function word used to introduce the second or subsequent member of a series of negative alternatives, typically following 'neither'.
“Neither the teacher nor the students knew the answer to the question.”
“The proposed legislation was neither popular with the public nor supported by the majority of the governing committee.”
Usage
When 'nor' connects two subjects, the verb usually agrees with the subject closest to it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02introducing a new negative point
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
conj. used to add another negative statement to something you just said.
conj. used to introduce a further negative statement, often triggering subject-auxiliary inversion in the following clause.
“I don't like spicy food, nor do I enjoy very salty snacks.”
“The witness did not recall seeing the vehicle, nor could she provide a description of the driver at the scene.”
Usage
This use requires you to swap the subject and the helping verb, such as 'nor do I' instead of 'nor I do'.
Synonyms
03logic gate
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a type of logical operation that is only true if all parts are false.
n. a logical operator or logic gate that produces a positive output only when all its inputs are negative.
“The engineer used a NOR gate to design the simple alarm circuit.”
“In digital electronics, the NOR operation is considered a universal gate because any other boolean function can be implemented using only NOR gates.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English nauther, a form of nother and cognate with neither, reanalysed in later English as not + or.
From not + or, a reanalysis of Etymology 1's sense 2 that treats the original as negation + or rather than as a single inherited conjunction.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Grammar
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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