2 PHRASE If you say that someone will have none of something, or is having none of something, you mean that they refuse to accept it. [INFORMAL ] □ He knew his own mind and was having none of their attempts to keep him at home.
3 PHRASE You use none too in front of an adjective or adverb in order to emphasize that the quality mentioned is not present. [FORMAL , EMPHASIS ] □ He was none too thrilled to hear from me at that hour. □ Her hand grasped my shoulder, none too gently.
4 PHRASE You use none the to say that someone or something does not have any more of a particular quality than they did before. □ You could end up none the wiser about managing your finances. □ He became convinced that his illness was purely imaginary: that made it none the better.
5 none of your business → see business
6 none other than → see other
7 second to none → see second ➋
non|en|tity /nɒne nt I ti/ (nonentities ) N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a nonentity , you mean that they are not special or important in any way. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ Amidst the current bunch of nonentities, he is a towering figure. □ She was written off then as a political nonentity.
no n-esse ntial (non-essentials ) in AM, also use nonessential 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Non-essential means not absolutely necessary. □ The crisis has led to the closure of a number of non-essential government services. □ …non-essential goods.
2 N‑PLURAL Non-essentials are things that are not absolutely necessary. □ In a recession, consumers could be expected to cut down on non-essentials like toys.
none|the|less /nʌ nðəle s/ ADV Nonetheless means the same as nevertheless . [FORMAL ] □ There was still a long way to go. Nonetheless, some progress had been made. □ His face is serious but nonetheless very friendly.
no n-eve nt (non-events ) in AM, also use nonevent N‑COUNT If you say that something was a non-event , you mean that it was disappointing or dull, especially when this was not what you had expected. □ Unfortunately, the entire evening was a total non-event.
no n-exe cutive (non-executives )
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Someone who has a non-executive position in a company or organization gives advice but is not responsible for making decisions or ensuring that decisions are carried out. [BUSINESS ] □ …non-executive directors.
2 N‑COUNT A non-executive is someone who has a non-executive position in a company or organization. [BUSINESS ]
no n-exi stence also nonexistence N‑UNCOUNT Non-existence is the fact of not existing. □ [+ of ] I was left with puzzlement as to the existence or non-existence of God.
no n-exi stent also nonexistent ADJ If you say that something is non-existent , you mean that it does not exist when you feel that it should. □ Hygiene was non-existent: no running water, no bathroom.
no n-fat also nonfat ADJ Non-fat foods have very low amounts of fat in them. □ …plain non-fat yogurt.
no n-fi ction also nonfiction N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Non-fiction is writing that gives information or describes real events, rather than telling a story. □ The series will include both fiction and non-fiction. □ Lewis is the author of thirteen novels and ten non-fiction books.
no n-fi nite also nonfinite ADJ [usu ADJ n] A non-finite clause is a clause which is based on an infinitive or a participle and has no tense. Compare finite .
no n-governme ntal or|gani|za |tion (non-governmental organizations ) N‑COUNT A non-governmental organization is the same as an NGO .
no n-hu man also nonhuman ADJ Non-human means not human or not produced by humans. □ Hostility towards outsiders is characteristic of both human and non-human animals.
no n-interve ntion in AM, also use nonintervention N‑UNCOUNT Non-intervention is the practice or policy of not becoming involved in a dispute or disagreement between other people and of not helping either side. □ Generally, I think the policy of non-intervention is the correct one.
no n-li near also nonlinear ADJ If you describe something as non-linear , you mean that it does not progress or develop smoothly from one stage to the next in a logical way. Instead, it makes sudden changes, or seems to develop in different directions at the same time. □ …a non-linear narrative structure.
no n-me mber (non-members ) in AM, also use nonmember N‑COUNT [usu pl] Non-members of a club or organization are people who are not members of it. □ The scheme is also open to non-members. □ Spain imposed levies on farm imports from non-member states.
no n-nu clear in AM, also use nonnuclear ADJ Non-nuclear means not using or involving nuclear weapons or nuclear power. □ …a treaty to reduce non-nuclear weapons.
no -no N‑SING If you say that something is a no-no , you think it is undesirable or unacceptable. [INFORMAL ] □ We all know that cheating on our taxes is a no-no.
no -no nsense
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If you describe someone as a no-nonsense person, you approve of the fact that they are efficient, direct, and quite tough. [APPROVAL ] □ She saw herself as a direct, no-nonsense modern woman.