don't

American  

[dohnt] / doʊnt /

verb

1. contraction of do not.

2. Nonstandard except in some dialects. contraction of does not.

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noun

1. don'ts, customs, rules, or regulations that forbid something.

   The boss has a long list of don'ts that you had better observe if you want a promotion.

don't British  

/ dəʊnt /

contraction

1. do not

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Etymology

Origin of don't

First recorded in 1600–10

Compare meaning

How does dont compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• don't vs. doesn't

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

don't

"This is a highly unusual meeting in the sense that we don't really know what the Fed chair's current thinking is," said Gregory Daco, chief economist at EY-Parthenon.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

And don’t even consider one of the pricey cards unless you can pay the balance in full every month.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

“We don’t want Lineage to rebuild now, or ever again,” protester Maria Jauregui, 62, said at the rally.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

"If we don't understand what climate change, ocean warming or acidification does to coral ecosystems, there is a chance we're going to lose them," Ravasi said.

From Barron's ● Jul. 29, 2026

I’m shocked, but I don’t let it show.

From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes