Naw
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "naw" is the natural, drawn-out way of saying "no." It reflects the regional vowel sound that turns "no" into "naw."
synonyms: no
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Naw' is a super-common, everday word. The 'aw' part gets more 'aw-y' depending on context. Like 'you think he'd hoodoo me?' The 'no way' answer might be 'naw', but heavy on the 'aw' part. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Naw' is a super-common, everday word. The 'aw' part gets more 'aw-y' depending on context. Like 'you think he'd hoodoo me?' The 'no way' answer might be 'naw', but heavy on the 'aw' part. Pronunciation
[NAW] /nɑː/
Meaning & Usage
- No (interjection)
Friend:
You goin’ fishin’ today?
You goin’ fishin’ today?
Papaw:
Naw, it’s too dang hot.
Naw, it’s too dang hot.variations: nah, naaw
Origin and Etymology
The pronunciation "naw" comes from the open back vowel sound common in Southern and Appalachian English. It reflects natural speech patterns, not slang invention, and has roots in older English vowel shifts.
Usage Notes
Common throughout the South and Appalachia, especially in informal conversation. Often written in dialect to capture accent or tone. "Naw" may be lengthened or drawn out for emphasis.
- Short "no" → /noʊ/ (standard)
- Southern "naw" → /nɑː/ (drawn-out, open sound)