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

Those who remain often don’t resist.

From The Wall Street Journal

The length of the prison term is underlined so passengers don’t overlook the point.

From The Wall Street Journal

Appeared in the February 24, 2026, print edition as 'Please Don’t Punch the Orderly'.

From The Wall Street Journal

For the speechwriters, the dream is to present a president’s agenda in a way that lawmakers from the opposing party have to stand and cheer even when they don’t want to.

From The Wall Street Journal

“That’s exactly what we don’t want.”

From The Wall Street Journal