aren't

American  

[ahrnt, ahr-uhnt] / ɑrnt, ˈɑr ənt /

1. contraction of are not.

2. contraction of am not (used interrogatively).

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aren't British  

/ ɑːnt /

contraction

1. are not

2. informal (used in interrogative sentences) am not

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Usage

The social unacceptability of ain't, the historical contraction of am not, has created a gap in the pattern of verbal contractions. I'm not, the alternative to I ain't, has no corresponding interrogative form except ain't I. In questions, ain't I is often avoided by the use of aren't I: I'm right, aren't I? Aren't I on the list? This aren't is simply a different outcome of the same historical development that yielded ain't, but the fact that it is spelled and pronounced like the contraction of are not (as in You are staying, aren't you? ) apparently gives it, for some, an acceptability that ain't lacks. The use of aren't I is objected to by others because a declarative counterpart, I aren't, does not exist. Many speakers, however, prefer aren't I to the uncontracted, rather formal am I not. See also ain't, contraction.

Etymology

Origin of aren't

As contraction of am not, a doublet of ain't (without raising of the vowel), spelling aren't by r-less speakers; ar was later substituted for the long a by speakers who regularly pronounce pre-consonantal r

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aren't

Valencia knows the odds aren’t in his favor.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2026

Watch a new Korean film: Elizabeth Holmes and Billy Evans aren’t the only example of the perils of inviting a documentarian into your home.

From Slate ● Nov. 9, 2026

But even those who aren’t totally bought into the wellness craze will happily reap the benefits of free merchandise.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 9, 2026

Service costs probably aren’t going to slow much further, however, or bring any more relief on inflation.

From MarketWatch ● Nov. 9, 2026

“You’re just a few houses away from where she lives, aren’t you?” she asked, waiting.

From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott

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