Is 'noes' a real word?

Yes, it is the standard plural form of the noun 'no' (meaning a negative vote or answer) in formal, procedural English.

How do you pronounce 'noes'?

It is pronounced exactly like the word 'nose' (/noʊz/ in US English, /nəʊz/ in UK English).

Can I use 'nos' instead of 'noes'?

No, 'nos' is not the standard spelling for this plural. The accepted spelling is 'noes', following the pattern of similar words like 'foes' or 'toes'.

Is 'noes' used in everyday English?

Almost never. It is a specialist term used almost exclusively in the context of formal voting, such as in government, committees, or organised meetings.

noes

Low

UK/nəʊz/US/noʊz/

Formal

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The plural form of 'no', meaning negative votes or negative responses.

Formal recorded instances of dissent, refusal, or opposition in voting, polling, or collective decision-making.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in formal, official, or parliamentary contexts related to voting and tallies. It is the countable noun form derived from the interjection/particle 'no'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is identical in both varieties, though more common in UK parliamentary contexts. The spelling 'noes' is standard in both.

Connotations

Neutral, procedural, formal. Conveys official recording of dissent.

Frequency

Rare in everyday speech; frequency spikes in news reports of legislative votes, committee decisions, or formal polls.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

the ayes andcount therecord thetally of

medium

number ofmorefewermajority of

weak

werecastregisteredagainst the motion

Grammar

Valency Patterns

The [NOUN] resulted in 10 ayes and 4 noes.We must count the noes carefully.The noes have it.

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

nays

Neutral

negative votesnaysdissenting votes

Weak

against votesopposing votes

Vocabulary

Antonyms

ayesyeasaffirmative votes

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“The noes have it. (formal declaration that the negative side has won a vote)”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

In shareholder meetings or board votes: 'The resolution passed with 15 ayes and 3 noes.'

Academic

In political science papers analyzing voting patterns.

Everyday

Virtually never used in casual conversation.

Technical

Official term in parliamentary procedure and formal meeting minutes.

Examples

By CEFR Level

In the school vote, there were many more ayes than noes.

The chairperson announced the result: 22 ayes and 18 noes.

A preliminary count suggested the noes would outnumber the ayes, defeating the motion.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'No + es' like other plural nouns ending in 'o' (potatoes, echoes). It's the plural form for multiple 'no' votes.

Conceptual Metaphor

OPPOSITION IS A QUANTIFIABLE ENTITY (votes can be counted as objects).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Do not confuse with нос (nose). It is a plural noun, not a verb form.
Not related to отрицание (negation) as a general concept, but specifically to голоса 'против' (votes against).

Common Mistakes

Using 'nos' as the plural (incorrect).
Using 'no's' (with apostrophe) in formal writing.
Pronouncing it as /nɒz/.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

In the formal tally, the were recorded separately from the ayes.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the word 'noes' most appropriately used?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, it is the standard plural form of the noun 'no' (meaning a negative vote or answer) in formal, procedural English.
: It is pronounced exactly like the word 'nose' (/noʊz/ in US English, /nəʊz/ in UK English).
: No, 'nos' is not the standard spelling for this plural. The accepted spelling is 'noes', following the pattern of similar words like 'foes' or 'toes'.
: Almost never. It is a specialist term used almost exclusively in the context of formal voting, such as in government, committees, or organised meetings.