Nary

In Southern and Appalachian English, "nary" means "not any" or "none." It’s a contraction of "never a," kept alive in rural and mountain speech.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #OldTimers

synonyms: none, not any

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I still hear 'nary,' but it's one of the rare ones nowadays. I heard it much more growin' up.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I still hear 'nary,' but it's one of the rare ones nowadays. I heard it much more growin' up.

Pronunciation

[NAIR-ee]
/ˈnɛəɹi/

Meaning & Usage

- None, not any (adjective / pronoun)

Pap:

I ain’t got nary dime left till Friday.

Son:

Then we better stay home.

variations: none

Origin and Etymology

From the phrase "never a," which blended into "nary" in older English. It took root in the American South and Appalachian mountains and remains one of the best-known regional forms.

Usage Notes

Still recognized across the South, sometimes used humorously or affectionately. Most common among older generations or in folksy storytelling.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

What does "nary" mean in the South?

It means "not any" or "none," as in "He didn’t leave nary crumb on the plate."

Is "nary" still used today?

It’s rare but familiar. You’ll still hear it in country talk, storytelling, and song lyrics.

What’s the difference between "ary" and "nary"?

"Ary" means "any," while "nary" means "none" or "not any."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 4). Nary. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/nary
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Nary." HillbillySlang.com, 4 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/nary.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Nary." HillbillySlang.com. October 4, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/nary.

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Created by a true, actual, proper, real-life hillbilly, HillbillySlang is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...