never

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnɛvə/

adverb

  • 1at no time in the past or future; not ever: they had never been camping in their lives I will never ever forget it
  • 2not at all: he never turned up
  • [as exclamation] British informal (expressing surprise) surely not: What, you, Annabel? Never!

Phrases

never fear

see fear.

never mind

see mind.

never a one

not one: there are no paintings, never a one

never say die

see die1.

well I never! (or well I never did!)

informal expressing surprise or indignation: Well I never—that’s not like you!

Origin:

Old English nǣfre, from ne 'not' + ǣfre 'ever'