adj
nary
NEH-uh-ree
Nary (adj) means not any; not a single one — an old-fashioned or dialect way of saying "no.". Example: “There was nary a cloud in the sky all afternoon.”
adj
1
Not any; not a single one — an old-fashioned or dialect way of saying "no."
"There was nary a cloud in the sky all afternoon."
"He searched the cupboard but found nary a crumb."
How to use nary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old, folksy way of saying "not a single" — as in "nary a word was spoken."
When to use it
Sounds old-fashioned or rural; mostly seen in literature, folk speech, or for deliberate quaint effect, not everyday conversation.
Common pairings
nary a word
nary a soul
nary a sound
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There was _____ a cloud in the sky all afternoon.
Etymology
Formed by squashing together "ne'er" (never) and "a" — so "nary a" originally just meant "never a."
Rhymes for nary
See all rhymes for nary →Frequently asked questions
What does “nary” mean?
The word “nary” means not any; not a single one — an old-fashioned or dialect way of saying "no.". In plain terms, an old, folksy way of saying "not a single" — as in "nary a word was spoken.".
How do you pronounce “nary”?
“Nary” is pronounced NEH-uh-ree (/ˈnɛɚ.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “nary” in a sentence?
Here is “nary” used in a sentence: “There was nary a cloud in the sky all afternoon.”
What part of speech is “nary”?
“Nary” is an adjective.
