none

1 /nVn/ pronoun

1 not any of something: I was going to offer you some cake but there's none left. | none of: Everyone was talking about it - it did not matter to them that none of it was true. | She had inherited none of her mother's beauty. | none at all/none whatsoever: “Any mail arrive today?” “None whatsoever.”

2 not any of a number of people or things: none of: None of my friends phone me anymore. | None of you need worry. | None of their promises were kept. | none: Of all the movies Hepburn made none is more memorable than `Breakfast at Tiffany's'. | Perhaps none felt the effects more than Peter.

3 not one thing or person: Even an old car is better than none. | none at all: It'd be better to make some sort of decision than none at all.

4 have none of sth to not allow someone to do something or to not allow someone to behave in a particular way: This time I'll have none of her tears and tantrums. | We offered to pay our half of the cost but Charles would have none of it.

5 none but literary only: None but she would have been capable of such strength and courage.

6 none other (than) used when you are surprised that a particular person, especially someone famous, has done something: The mystery guest turned out to be none other than Cher herself.

—see also: nonetheless, second to none second 1 (6), bar none bar 3 (2) USAGE NOTE: NONE FORMALITY When none of is followed by a plural noun, it usually takes a plural verb in ordinary spoken English: None of us are ready yet. In formal writing a singular verb is used: None of our factories is in operation yet. Some people believe the singular is the only correct form. 2 adverb

1 none the worse/better etc not at all worse, better etc than before: She seems none the worse for her experience. | none the wiser (=not knowing any more about something than you did at the beginning): I've read the instruction book from cover to cover, but I'm still none the wiser.

2 none too informal not at all: I was none too pleased to have to take the exam again.