never
/ˈnɛvɚ/
Reviewed on
Type
Adverb
Meaning
Not at any time; not ever.
I have never been to Alaska.
Not at all; used to make a negative statement stronger.
I never said that!
How it's used
When this means “'never' is already negative, so do not add 'not' or 'don't'”
- never + verb (no 'not')
She never drinks coffee after noon.
When this means “talks about experiences up to now”
- have/has never + past participle
They have never seen snow.
When this means “a strong instruction not to do something”
- Never + imperative
Never leave the stove on when you go out.
Collocations
- never again
- never before
- almost never
- never ever
Synonyms
- not ever
- at no time
Antonyms
- always
- ever
Idioms
never mind
used to say that something is not important, or to forget it
Never mind, I found my keys.
better late than never
it is better to do something late than not at all
I finally learned to swim at 40. Better late than never!
now or never
used to say that you must do something now or you will lose the chance
It's now or never. The sale ends tonight.