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not at all
/nɒt æt ɔːl/
used to politely refuse an offer or to emphasize a negative statement
Would you like some coffee?
The phrase 'not at all' is used here to politely decline the offer of coffee.
informal
Used to politely refuse an offer or to emphasize a negative statement
I’m not tired at all.
This emphasizes that the speaker is not tired in the slightest.
Not at all! I’m happy to help.
This is a polite way to respond to thanks, meaning 'you’re welcome.'
This phrase is often used to soften a refusal or to emphasize the extent of a negative statement.
Collocations
not at all tiredcompletely restednot at all surprisedcompletely unsurprised
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Polite Refusal
Use 'not at all' to politely decline an offer without sounding rude.
Emphasis
Use 'not at all' to emphasize that something is completely untrue or not the case.
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The meaning of 'not at all' depends on the context. It can mean refusal, reassurance, or emphasis.
Word Origin
The phrase is a combination of 'not' and 'at all,' where 'at all' intensifies the negation.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in polite refusals or to emphasize a negative statement. It can also be used to reassure someone that something is not a problem.
Word Breakdown
not
negation
rootat all
intensifier
phraseEnglish Dictionary