Word
never
Phoneticsnev·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnɛvɝ/
UK/nˈɛvɐ/
Adverb of frequency
Definitions
01at no time
A1 · Beginner
adv. at no time in the past, present, or future.
adv. at no time; on no occasion. An adverb of frequency typically placed before the main verb or after the verb 'to be'.
“I have never been to Japan, but I would love to go one day.”
“The CEO insisted that the company would never compromise on safety standards, regardless of the potential impact on quarterly profit margins.”
Usage
Usually placed before the main verb (e.g., 'I never go') or after the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'He is never late').
Synonyms
02not previously
A2 · Elementary
adv. not at any time before now.
adv. not on any prior occasion; not previously. Often used with the present perfect tense to describe life experience.
“I had never seen such a beautiful sunset until I visited the coast.”
“Prior to the recent archaeological discovery, researchers had never encountered evidence of such sophisticated irrigation systems in this specific region.”
Usage
Commonly used with the present perfect or past perfect to indicate a lack of prior experience.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English nevere, navere, nævere, from Old English nǣfre (“never”), equivalent to ne + ever.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADVERB
INTERJECTION
Related words
Idioms
01. a wild goose never laid a tame egg
02. first of never
03. I never did
04. I never miss
06. never in a month of Sundays
07. never mind
08. never the twain shall meet
09. never you mind
10. now or never
Show all 13
11. sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me
12. well, I never
Grammar
The word in film
Never Say Never Again · 1983 · Action
- Directed by:
- Irvin Kershner
- Starring:
- Sean Connery, Rowan Atkinson, Klaus Maria Brandauer
Sean Connery returns as James Bond in this 1983 action thriller, marking his final performance as the iconic secret agent. The title plays on the actor's earlier vow that he would not play the character at any time in the future, highlighting how circumstances can change over a decade.
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 3
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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