/ ˈnevə(r); NAmE / adverb , exclamation
■ adverb
1.
not at any time; not on any occasion :
You never help me.
He has never been abroad.
'Would you vote for him?' 'Never.'
'I work for a company called Orion Technology.' 'Never heard of them.'
Never in all my life have I seen such a horrible thing.
Never ever tell anyone your password.
2.
used to emphasize a negative statement instead of 'not' :
I never knew (= didn't know until now) you had a twin sister.
( especially BrE )
Someone might find out, and that would never do (= that is not acceptable) .
He never so much as smiled (= did not smile even once) .
( especially BrE )
'I told my boss exactly what I thought of her.' 'You never did!' (= 'Surely you didn't!')
( BrE , slang )
'You took my bike.' 'No, I never.'
( old-fashioned or humorous )
Never fear (= Do not worry) , everything will be all right.
•
IDIOMS
- on the never-never
- Well, I never (did)!
■ exclamation
( informal ) used to show that you are very surprised about sth because you do not believe it is possible :
'I got the job.' 'Never!'
•
IDIOMS
see mind verb
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English nǣfre , from ne not + ǣfre ever .