nae

[ ney ]

/ neɪ /

Scot. and North England

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adverb

no¹; not.

adjective

no².

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of nae

First recorded in 1715–25; variant of na

Words nearby nae

nadir, nadors, NADP, NADPH, nads, nae, naething, naevus, naff, naff off, Nafl

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nae in a sentence

He talked away a wee while an' then put up a prayer; but there was nae consolation in't for onybody.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
The bits o' weans gang aboot the hoose wonderin' at her, and she looks to them too, but ye'd think she'd nae interest in onything.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
"There's nae word o' Mysie yet," said Nellie, when he came in, and her words seemed to shock him with their unexpectedness.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh
"Och, there's nae harm meant," returned Annie, taken aback by the old woman's admonition.
The Underworld|James C. Welsh

Dammit, hae ye nae common sense, swearin' an' jokin' about sic a thing!
The Underworld|James C. Welsh

British Dictionary definitions for nae

nae

na (nɑː)

/ (neɪ) /

determiner

a Scot word for no 1, not

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012