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. * I never realized just how easy it is. * (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 (BrE, informal) on HIREPURCHASE (= by making payments over a long period):
to buy a new car on the never-never
Well, I never (did)! (old-fashioned) used to express surprise or disapproval:
Well, I never! Fancy getting married and not telling us!
exclamation (spoken) used to show that you are very surprised about sth because you do not believe it is possible:
'I got the job.' 'Never!'
