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

Example Sentences

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t early “buy-the-dip” debates echoing around Wall Street.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The Trump administration is preparing to overhaul its tariff scheme for steel and aluminum, The Wall Street Journal reported this week, but the changes aren’t expected to affect imported commodity-grade metals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2026

Because investors still aren’t sure how long the war will last, they’re pricing in more supply disruption in May than in June.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

There aren’t a lot of cases where purchasing an IUL would make more sense than purchasing permanent life insurance.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

“Do you ever think about the fact that other people have dinners entirely outside of their boardinghouse rooms that aren’t composed of foods that come in tins or boxes?”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse