Synonyms

don't

American

[dohnt] / doʊnt /

verb

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

noun

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

do not

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Please, let us listen. Don't make noise! It seems like there's someone here," one calls out from above.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

Don’t be mistaken: “Couture” is not a happy film, at least not in the traditional sense.

From Salon • Jun. 29, 2026

Don’t miss: ‘He is retired’: Should my husband take his Social Security at 62 and invest it?

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

Don’t make the mistake of thinking our British friends are alone in that regard.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

“I’m actually—Jonah’s training for the same half-marathon I signed up for. Don’t tell Celia.”

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023