no-no Hear it!

no-no Definition

no·-no (nō′)

noun pl. -·nos′

Slang something that is forbidden or considered unwise to do, say, use, etc.

Etymology: < No! No!, as said in admonishing a young child

no-no Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • avoid: You do not have to stick to this slavishly but it might help you avoid an acknowledged no-no.
  • consider: Secondly, the blue and yellow doors on this map were unmarked, which I consider a no-no.
  • become: And it was somewhere during this last leg of our trek that to be a Doctor Who viewer became a social no-no.

Adjective modifier

  • definite: The Gardeners Retreat A definite no-no for away fans, full on a home match of Stoke fans.
  • absolute: Last point: going topless on the rampage is an absolute no-no.
  • big: Financial troubles at the start of your married life are a big no-no.
  • major: Doing Business Cultural Notes There are a few major no-no 's for those visiting Belarus.
  • strict: Choosing to invest because a company is named after your sister, for example, is a strict no-no.
  • serious: A slap on the back may be OK in Mexico but in China it is a serious no-no.

Noun used with modifier

fashion: Wearing one print all the way through is a fashion no-no.

Browse dictionary entries near no-no

  1. no-name
  2. no man's land
  3. no-lose
  4. no-load
  5. no-knock
  6. no-hitter
  7. no-growth
  8. no-good
  9. no-go
  10. no-frills
  1. no-nonsense
  2. no one
  3. no-par
  4. no-par stock
  5. no-see-um
  6. no-show
  7. no-trump
  8. no way
  9. no-win
  10. NOAA