Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

isn't

American  
[iz-uhnt] / ˈɪz ənt /
  1. contraction of is not.


isn't British  
/ ˈɪzənt /

contraction

  1. is 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

Pronunciation

Isn't is often pronounced in the South Midland and Southern U.S., with , a stop consonant, substituting for , a sibilant. This substitution results from an assimilatory process in which the tip of the tongue, in anticipation of the articulatory position for the following , touches the upper alveolar ridge. This same process gives for wasn't and for business. These pronunciations are heard from speakers on all social levels.

Usage

See contraction.

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.

See Examples For:

BBC Verify has spoken to military experts who say, although the length of its deployment is unusual, the wear and tear isn't.

From BBC Sep. 5, 2026

“The nature of the conflict isn’t entirely clear for many, including us,” he told Putin.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 5, 2026

Waite said the spot isn’t prominent and is hidden from the public’s view.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 4, 2026

Reasonable doubt isn’t something you just note and move past, it’s supposed to end the jury’s deliberations in the defendant’s favor.

From Slate Sep. 4, 2026

“No,” I say, “but him wanting me to be a part of it isn’t abusive. Him asking for my help isn’t abusive. That’s not what abuse is.”

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training