naw
intjUK /nɔː/ · US /nɔ/
Etymology In Scottish use, from Scots naw, naa, na, from Middle English na, from Old English nā (“no, never”). More generally, a colloquial, unarticulated form of no; compare nah. More at no.
1
Informal No.
- But listen Willis You do understand, don't you? Naw, I don't think so. Larry?1986, Melvin Dixon, “The Boy with Beer”, in Joseph Beam, editor, In The Life: A Black Gay Anthology, page 27:
- "Naw, no trouble. Just pulled off the road for about ten minutes, maybe, when a couple of Nip fighters banked overhead. They were after something or other." "Is that right?" Mac replied.2003, Anton F. Bilek, Tony Bilek, Gene O'Connell, No Uncle Sam: The Forgotten of Bataan, Kent State University Press, →ISBN, page 31:
2 more examples
- 'Naw, hen, sorry. Ye're too young for us. Come back when you've got a couple mair years under yer belt, eh?'2012, Alex Gray, A Pound of Flesh:
- “Naw, no thanks. I'll catch you next time.” “Come on, Shane. All you do is work, work, and work. You need to have a little fun, don't you?” “Right now, I'm having a lot of fun. Trust me.” “Do you have company?” “No, I'm painting.”2012 November 1, Brenda Hampton, Naughty No More, Urban Books, →ISBN:
2
Jamaica, Pronunciation spelling Pronunciation spelling of not.
- Related terms
- nee-naw