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none

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None means not one or any.

(pronoun)

An example of none used as a pronoun is in the sentence, "None of them were ready to eat," which means that no one was ready to eat.

None is defined as not at all.

(adverb)

An example of none used as an adverb is in the phrase "none happy," which means not happy at all.

The definition of none is an ancient way to means not any.

(adjective)

An example of none used as an adjective is in the phrase "Thou shalt go with none other men but your husband," which means no male friendships for wives except with her husband.

See none in Webster's New World College Dictionary

pronoun

not one: none of the books is interesting
no one; not anyone: none of us is ready
no persons or things; not any: many letters were received but none were answered
not any (of); no part; nothing: I want none of it, none of the money is left

Origin: ME < OE nan < ne, not (see no) + an, one

adverb

in no way; not at all: none the worse for wear

adjective

Archaic not any: used before a vowel: of none effect

noun

the fifth of the canonical hours; midafternoon prayer

Origin: OE non: see noon

See none in American Heritage Dictionary 4

pron.

No one; not one; nobody: None dared to do it.
Not any: None of my classmates survived the war.
No part; not any: none of your business.

adverb

Not at all: He is none too ill.
In no way: The jeans looked none the better for having been washed.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English nān

Origin: : ne, no, not; see ne in Indo-European roots

Origin: + ān, one; see oi-no- in Indo-European roots

Usage Note: It is widely asserted that none is equivalent to no one, and hence requires a singular verb and singular pronoun: None of the prisoners was given his soup. It is true that none is etymologically derived from the Old English word ān, “one,” but the word has been used as both a singular and a plural noun from Old English onward. The plural usage appears in the King James Bible as well as the works of John Dryden and Edmund Burke and is widespread in the works of respectable writers today. Of course, the singular usage is perfectly acceptable. The choice between a singular or plural verb depends on the desired effect. Both options are acceptable in this sentence: None of the conspirators has (or have) been brought to trial. When none is modified by almost, however, it is difficult to avoid treating the word as a plural: Almost none of the officials were (not was) interviewed by the committee. None can only be plural in its use in sentences such as None but his most loyal supporters believe (not believes) his story. See Usage Notes at every, neither, nothing.

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