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

If our closest animal relatives aren’t helpful models, what is a human family supposed to look like?

From Slate • May 10, 2026

We are left alone, but we aren’t lonely.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

If we aren’t receiving that auditory input, it can affect our walking speed, doctors say.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026

QCDs are powerful tools because they count toward RMDs, but these gifts can be made as early as age 70 ½ even though RMDs aren’t required until age 73.

From Barron's • May 9, 2026

“If there aren’t any questions, please take your seats,” said Professor Brown.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin