/ nɒt; NAmE nɑːt/ adverb
1.
used to form the negative of the verbs be , do and have and modal verbs like can or must and often reduced to n't :
She did not / didn't see him.
It's not / it isn't raining.
I can't see from here.
He must not go.
Don't you eat meat?
It's cold, isn't it?
2.
used to give the following word or phrase a negative meaning, or to reply in the negative :
He warned me not to be late.
I was sorry not to have seen them.
Not everybody agrees.
'Who's next?' 'Not me.'
'What did you do at school?' ' Not a lot .'
It's not easy being a parent (= it's difficult) .
3.
used after hope , expect , believe , etc. to give a negative reply :
'Will she be there?' 'I hope not.'
'Is it ready?' 'I'm afraid not.'
( formal )
'Does he know?' 'I believe not.'
4.
or ~ used to show a negative possibility :
I don't know if he's telling the truth or not.
5.
used to say that you do not want sth or will not allow sth :
'Some more?' 'Not for me, thanks.'
'Can I throw this out?' 'Certainly not.'
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IDIOMS
- not a ... | not one ...
- not at all
- not only ... (but) also ...
- not that
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : contraction of the adverb nought .