ain't

[ eynt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

Nonstandard except in some dialects. contraction of am not; are not; is not.
Nonstandard. contraction of have not; has not; do not; does not; did not.

ain't

/ eɪnt /

contraction of

am not, is not, are not, have not, or has not
I ain't seen it

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Usage Note

As a substitute for am not, is not, and are not in declarative sentences, ain't is more common in uneducated speech than in educated, but it occurs with some frequency in the informal speech of the educated, especially in the southern and south-central states. This is especially true of the interrogative use of ain't I? as a substitute for the formal and—to some—stilted am I not? or for aren't I?, considered by some to be ungrammatical, or for the awkward—and rare in American speech— amn't I? Some speakers avoid any of the preceding forms by substituting Isn't that so ( true, the case ) ? Ain't occurs in humorous or set phrases: Ain't it the truth! She ain't what she used to be. It ain't funny. The word is also used for emphasis: That just ain't so! It does not appear in formal writing except for deliberate effect in such phrases or to represent speech. As a substitute for have not or has not and—occasionally in Southern speech— do not, does not, and did not, it is nonstandard except in similar humorous uses: You ain't heard nothin' yet! aren't.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of ain't¹

First recorded in 1770–80; variant of amn't (contraction of am not ) by loss of m and raising with compensatory lengthening of a; aren't

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Example Sentences

The effect of Kate 'aint so great, says Whistles CEO Jane Shepherdson, who sat down for a chat with website Business of Fashion.

From The Daily Beast

Somehow, we feel this is one announcement that 'aint gonna get much coverage.

From The Daily Beast

I aint sayin nothing about putting you out, though your mother aint as sure pay as some others.

From Project Gutenberg

Poor folks aint no business to have finicky idees, or tastes, he declared.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course, it aint a question of love, he said more quietly, as he felt himself fortified behind a cloud of fragrant smoke.

From Project Gutenberg

Look here, he said roughly; youve got no right to act this way—youre about to be married, too—it aint right, Myrtle.

From Project Gutenberg

He aint never see Mr. Man, Mr. Lion aint, en he dunner w'at he look lak, but he go on todes de new groun'.

From Project Gutenberg

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Is Ain't A Word?

**And is ain't in the dictionary?**

Ain’t is not listed as a standard word in this dictionary, meaning that language users don’t view it as an accepted word and don’t use it regularly with a standard meaning. Instead, ain’t is viewed as an informal contraction of am not, are not, or is not.

An informal contraction is a term used in informal situations but not recognized as acceptable by most language users. You wouldn’t use ain’t in formal or semiformal situations, but you might use it among your friends, especially for humorous effect.

Note: Just because a word isn’t considered a standard word in the dictionary doesn’t necessarily mean it’s “not a word.” Some people may use it, and if enough people start using it regularly, it may be added to the dictionary.

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