American English

How to pronounce not

adverbA1Very common word
NAHT

/nɑt̚/

One syllable.

Used with a verb, adjective, or adverb to say no, that something is false, or that something does not happen.

Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

adverb

Used with a verb, adjective, or adverb to say no, that something is false, or that something does not happen.

She is not ready.

I do not understand.

Good to know

With most ordinary verbs, use do, does, or did before not: I do not agree, not I not agree.

Common phrases & grammar

subject + be + not + adjective/noun

subject + do/does/did + not + base verb

Useful expressions

not at all

Not in any way or degree.

The soup is not spicy at all.

not yet

Up to now, something has not happened.

Have you finished? —Not yet.

not anymore

No longer; something was true before but is not true now.

Do you still work there? —Not anymore.