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

The ports managed by Hutchison aren’t part of the Panama Canal, and the court’s decision has no impact on the operation of the waterway.

From The Wall Street Journal

Since AI invaded social media, some of those influencers aren’t even human.

From Salon

Government and even corporate bonds aren’t the only option in the fixed-income toolbox.

From MarketWatch

“But the car’s an automatic—and there’s nothing I could hit, round here, except the trees. And the trees aren’t going to make any sudden movements. Please?”

From Literature

“But—there was a unicorn. Aren’t you going to—” He was quelled with a look from Frank that almost frightened him.

From Literature