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nev·er [ névvər ] CORE MEANING: an adverb indicating that something will not happen at any time, or that somebody will definitely not do something
  The details will never be known.
I would never do anything to hurt her. |
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1. adverb at no time: at no time in the past or the future
The bird has never been seen in Iceland before. It may never appear there again.
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2. adverb certainly not: not in any circumstances at all
I would never turn my back on them.
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3. interjection exclamation of surprise: an exclamation indicating surprise or shock
"He won the election after all." - "Never!"
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| [Pre-12th century. < ne "not" + ever] |
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never ever used as an emphatic expression for "never" (informal)
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something will or would never do indicates that something is not appropriate or suitable in the circumstances (informal)
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well I never an exclamation of surprise or shock (informal)
Well I never! You did it again!
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