Standard Lemma guide

no-go

adj · noun · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: N OW1 G OW2 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Not functioning properly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Not to be entered.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • They lived in a no-go part of the ghetto.
  • The noise and drunkenness made the area a no-go zone at night for families.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

That should not go (i.e., enter or engage) if the size of the part being measured is properly achieved.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Topics: business, manufacturing

Examples

  • no-go gauge
  • This bore is no good: the no-go pin is flying right into the first half of it.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A no-go gauge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: colloquial

Qualifier: by ellipsis

Topics: business, manufacturing

Examples

  • There's your problem right there. See how that no-go slips right into the hole? The whole thing is scrap, unfortunately.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Alternative form of no go.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: alt-of, alternative

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adjective

Meaning 6

not functioning properly or in suitable condition for proceeding

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the space launch was no-go

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: go

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.