not

Universal Words adverb 1 used to form the negative of the verbs be, do and have and modal verbs like can or must and often shortened 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.' IDIOMS not a...