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

They don’t write rules for hundreds of millions.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026

“I guess anything is possible, but I just don’t think that’s a possibility,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026

"Most of us don't hear these sounds. However, a few people can actually hear the sounds that the ear itself produces. And these sounds can be measured objectively," Drexl said.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 19, 2026

“They finish the film. I don’t have anything to hide behind,” he said.

From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026

I hear English, Spanish, and other languages I don’t recognize.

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