Language Research

none · pronoun

/nʌn/Full view

none

B1 not any

Dictionary examples:

None of us smoke(s).

None of my children has/have blond hair.

"I'd like some more cheese." "I'm sorry there's none left".

"Have you any idea how much this cost?" "None at all/None whatsoever."

Learner example:

Since none of us had been there before we hired a guide who claimed that he knew English and then we began looking at the ruins. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Danish)

be none of sb's business

B2 If something is none of someone's business, they do not need to know about it, although they want to, because it does not affect them.

Dictionary example:

I'm certainly not going to tell Lara how much money I've spent - it's none of her business!

Learner example:

You might think it's none of my business, but I simply have to say this. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

none too clean/clever/pleased, etc.

C2 not at all clean/clever/pleased, etc.

Dictionary example:

His clothes were none too clean.

Learner example:

So, without further ado I accepted, although I was none too sure of what was going to happen there. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

none the happier/poorer/wiser, etc.

C2 not any happier/poorer/wiser, etc., than before

Dictionary example:

She must have explained the theory three times, but I'm still none the wiser.