While it can function as a noun in some sentences, it's technically classified as a pronoun because it takes the place of a noun.
Here's why:
* Pronouns are words that stand in for nouns, avoiding repetition.
* None often refers to a previously mentioned noun or group.
Example:
* "I have three apples, but none are ripe." (None stands in for the noun "apples")
While "none" can sometimes act like a noun (e.g., "None of them were present"), it's more accurate to say it's a pronoun functioning as a noun in those situations.