Never — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adverb /ˈne-vər/ nev·er

Meaning & Definition of Never

Never (adverb)

  1. not ever, at no time
  2. not in any degree, not under any condition

Never (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. at no time

    "I have never been out of the country"

    similar: ne'er
    related: nevermore, not, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom
    opposite: always, constantly, continuously, endlessly, ever, forever, perpetually
    near: eternally, everlastingly, evermore, invariably, frequently, often, recurrently, repeatedly

  2. not in any degree, way, or under any condition

    "even though my proposal was turned down, I will never be convinced that my idea isn't a good one"

    similar: no, none, nothing, noway, nowise, by no means, in no wise, nothing doing, on no account
    related: nowhere near, barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely, slightly
    opposite: anyhow, anyway, anywise, at all, ever, half, however
    near: completely, extremely, full, fully, par excellence, right, very, altogether, exactly, somehow, someway, out

Related Entry: Never mind (conjunction)

Never mind is a different word from Never. The synonyms below are for never mind, not for never.

  1. to say nothing of

    "I have a hard enough time getting out of bed before sunrise, never mind getting to work so early"

    similar: let alone, much less, still less, not to mention

Related Entry: Never-never land (noun)

Never-never land is a different word from Never. The synonyms below are for never-never land, not for never.

  1. an often imaginary place or state of utter perfection and happiness

    "a depiction of Merry Old England that debunks the popular notion that it was ever some sort of never-never land"

    similar: Camelot, Cockaigne, Eden, Elysium, empyrean, fantasyland, heaven, lotusland, New Jerusalem, nirvana, paradise, promised land, Shangri-la, utopia, Zion, Garden of Eden
    related: arcadia, dreamland, dreamworld, fairyland, wonderland, blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, euphoria, gladness, joy
    opposite: anti-utopia, dystopia, hell
    near: fool's paradise

Related Entry: Never-never lands (noun)

Never-never lands is a different word from Never. The synonyms below are for never-never lands, not for never.

  1. an often imaginary place or state of utter perfection and happiness

    "a depiction of Merry Old England that debunks the popular notion that it was ever some sort of never-never land"

    similar: Camelots, Cockaignes, Edens, Elysiums, empyreans, fantasylands, heavens, lotuslands, New Jerusalems, nirvanas, paradises, promised lands, Shangri-las, utopias, Zions, Garden of Edens
    related: arcadias, dreamlands, dreamworlds, fairylands, wonderlands, blisses, euphorias, joys
    opposite: anti-utopias, dystopias, hells
    near: fool's paradises

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Never

The most common words with a similar meaning to Never:

ne'er, no, none, nothing, noway, nowise, by no means, in no wise, nothing doing, on no account

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Never

Words with the opposite meaning of Never:

always, constantly, continuously, endlessly, ever, forever, perpetually, anyhow, anyway, anywise, at all, half, however

Related Words for Never

nevermore, not, infrequently, little, rarely, seldom, nowhere near, barely, hardly, marginally, narrowly, scarcely, slightly

Near Antonyms of Never

eternally, everlastingly, evermore, invariably, frequently, often, recurrently, repeatedly, completely, extremely, full, fully, par excellence, right, very, altogether, exactly, somehow, someway, out

Origin & Etymology of Never

Middle English, from Old English nǣfre, from ne not + ǣfre ever no

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Never

Words & Phrases Containing Never

never mind, never-never land, never a dull moment, never again, never cease to amaze, never dreamt, never-ending, never ever, never fear

Frequently Asked Questions about Never

What does "Never" mean?

"Never" means not ever, at no time. As an adverb, it is defined as: not ever, at no time. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Never"?

Other words for "Never" include ne'er, no, none, nothing, noway, nowise, by no means and in no wise. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Never" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Never"?

There are 23 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Never". Common alternatives include ne'er, no, none, nothing, noway, nowise, by no means, in no wise, nothing doing and on no account.

What is the opposite of "Never"?

Antonyms of "Never" include always, constantly, continuously, endlessly, ever, forever, perpetually and anyhow. Near antonyms include eternally, everlastingly, evermore and invariably.

How do you use "Never" in a sentence?

Examples of "Never" in a sentence: "I have never been out of the country"; "even though my proposal was turned down, I will never be convinced that my idea isn't a good one".

Is "Never" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Never" is an adverb.

Is "Never" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Never" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Never"?

"Never" is pronounced /ˈne-vər/ and divided into syllables as nev·er.