Absolutely not vs God no

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Absolutely not

InformalTop 3,000 (common)

God no

InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Absolutely not
 Absolutely notGod no
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈæb.sə.luːt.li nɒt//🇺🇸 //ˈæb.sə.luːt.li nɑːt//🇬🇧 //nəʊ ɡɒd nəʊ//🇺🇸 //noʊ ɡɑd noʊ//
MeaningDefinitely not; strong refusal.A phrase expressing a strong rejection or disbelief in a deity.
ExampleCan we go swimming in this cold weather? Absolutely not!When asked if I believe in heaven, I said, 'No god no.'
RegisterInformalInformal
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Collocationssay absolutely not, respond absolutely not, use absolutely notsay no god no, express no god no, shout no god no
Common mistakesUsing it with a polite tone in formal situations., Confusing it with 'maybe' or 'possibly'.User might mix it with religious discussions without context., Confusing it with similar phrases that are more neutral.
Usage notesUse in casual conversations to strongly disagree. Avoid in formal settings.Used informally to express a strong feeling against the idea of a god or gods. Best suited for casual conversations or debates, but may be inappropriate in formal settings.

See it in real clips

Absolutely not
God no

Frequently asked questions: Absolutely not vs God no

What's the difference between Absolutely not and God no?

Absolutely not: Definitely not; strong refusal. God no: A phrase expressing a strong rejection or disbelief in a deity.

Which is more common: Absolutely not and God no?

Absolutely not is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Absolutely not: Can we go swimming in this cold weather? Absolutely not! God no: When asked if I believe in heaven, I said, 'No god no.'

Can I use Absolutely not and God no interchangeably?

Not always. Absolutely not and God no are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

Related comparisons