Slang Words for No (and How to Use Them Correctly)

Written by Gabriel Cruz - Foodie, Animal Lover, Slang & Language Enthusiast

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Saying no can be surprisingly hard. Not because the word is hard to pronounce, but because it can feel too abrupt or rude – especially when someone we care about is asking for something.

If you’ve ever found yourself becoming the person who can’t say no, then you may want to consider making the process of saying no more fun. We’ve found a bunch of slang words for no that you can try out the next time you need to refuse.


Table of Contents

Slang Words for No (in Alphabetical Order)

F

Forget It

Meaning:

  • (Expression): A definitive, somewhat harsh way of saying something isn’t going to happen.
  • Example:
  • Person 1: “Jeb, do you want to help me paint my house this weekend?”
  • Person 2: “Forget it! I threw out my back last week, and I’m still recovering.”

G

GTFO

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Acronym that stands for, “get the f*** out.” It’s another strong expression of refusal, but it can also be used in shocked denial of something incredible happening.
  • Example: “My mom told me that Santa is real and that he brought her presents. I told her to GTFO!”

H

Hells to the No

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Extremely strong way of saying no.
  • Example:
  • Person 1: “I’m going to the dentist tomorrow. Want to come with me for emotional support?”
  • Person 2: “Hells to the no! Dentists creep me out.”

Hells/Hell No

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Similar to hells to the no.

N

Nae

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Scottish slang for no. Pronounced like “nay.”
  • Example: “Nae, I’m not going on a date with him. He’s loony.”

Nah Brah

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Phrase that means, “no, bro.” This is a more of a casual way of saying no, so it works great if you don’t want to offend the other party.
  • Example:
  • Person 1: “Were you at the club last night?”
  • Person 2: “Nah, brah. I was passed out on my couch.”
  • Person 1: “Huh. It must have been someone who looked like you.”

Naw/Nah

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Accented way of saying no. You can use it any time you’d say words like no or nae.

Read More: New York Slang Words for Bad

Negative

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Fun way of refusing something that almost sounds militaristic. It has a formal feel to it.
  • Example:
  • Person 1: “Did you eat my lunch I put in the fridge?”
  • Person 2: “Negative. It must have been our other roommate.”

Negatory

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Similar to negative. Another formal, militaristic way of saying no.

NG

Meaning;

  • (Expression): Acronym that stands for “no good.” You’d say this by text to indicate you dislike something or refuse something.
  • Example: “He asked me on a date, which is NG. I told him I’m busy.”

Nix

Meaning:

  • (Verb): To cancel something or deny something.
  • Example: “Nix the burritos. I’m not feeling very well.”

No Way, Jose

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Strong denial or refusal of something.
  • Example: “She told me I had to spend time with her instead of going to the game, so I said, ‘no way, Jose!’”

No, Sir-Ree

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Another strong refusal. Can be used like no way, Jose.

Nope

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Common slang word for no. You can pop your lips on the ‘p’ sound to give it extra emphasis. Use it like nae or nah.

Not On (Someone’s) Life

Meaning:

  • (Expression): Extremely strong and firm refusal. This isn’t one to be used casually, but to indicate when you really disagree with something. You can put anyone you know in the phrase in place of “someone’s.”
  • Example: “Borrow you money? Not on your mom’s life, man. You never pay me back.”

Nuh

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Casual way to refuse something.
  • Example: “I said nuh when they asked me if I wanted fries with it.”

Nuh-Uh

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): Similar to nuh, but with a little extra emphasis.

Read Also: Slang Words for Friends


Y

Yeah, No

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): A softer way of denying or refusing something. This one is extremely common in the Midwest.
  • Example:
  • Person 1: “Do you want to go fishing with me tomorrow?”
  • Person 2: “Yeah, no. I’ve got other plans.”

Yeah, Right

Meaning:

  • (Interjection): This is generally said sarcastically to indicate you don’t believe something or you won’t do something.
  • Example: “He told me won the Nobel Peace prize. Yeah, right, and I was the first person on the moon.”

Wrap Up

If you struggle to say no when people ask you for favors, maybe these fun slang words and phrases will help you out. People have come up with plenty of colorful and interesting ways of expressing refusal that don’t feel boring like a traditional “no.”

Sometimes, you just want to express sentiments that are a bit more positive, though. For those times, check out our list of slang words for love.

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