adv.1 a at no time; on no occasion; not ever (have never been to Paris; never saw them again). b colloq. as an emphatic negative (I never heard you come in).
2 not at all (never fear).
3 colloq. (expressing surprise) surely not (you never left the key in the lock!).
Phrases and idioms:
never-never (often prec. by the) Brit. colloq. hire purchase. never-never land an imaginary utopian place. never a one none. never say die see DIE(1). well I never! expressing great surprise.
Etymology: OE n{aelig}fre f. ne not + {aelig}fre EVER