aren't

American  

[ahrnt, ahr-uhnt] / ɑrnt, ˈɑr ənt /

1. contraction of are not.

2. contraction of am not (used interrogatively).

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aren't British  

/ ɑːnt /

contraction

1. are not

2. informal (used in interrogative sentences) am not

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Usage

The social unacceptability of ain't, the historical contraction of am not, has created a gap in the pattern of verbal contractions. I'm not, the alternative to I ain't, has no corresponding interrogative form except ain't I. In questions, ain't I is often avoided by the use of aren't I: I'm right, aren't I? Aren't I on the list? This aren't is simply a different outcome of the same historical development that yielded ain't, but the fact that it is spelled and pronounced like the contraction of are not (as in You are staying, aren't you? ) apparently gives it, for some, an acceptability that ain't lacks. The use of aren't I is objected to by others because a declarative counterpart, I aren't, does not exist. Many speakers, however, prefer aren't I to the uncontracted, rather formal am I not. See also ain't, contraction.

Etymology

Origin of aren't

As contraction of am not, a doublet of ain't (without raising of the vowel), spelling aren't by r-less speakers; ar was later substituted for the long a by speakers who regularly pronounce pre-consonantal r

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aren't

While Kasten and TWG Global officials insist the Dodgers aren’t for sale, uncertainty likely will linger at least until all investigations are completed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 5, 2026

Federal law requires candidates who aren’t currently in Congress to report all loans exceeding $10,000, except those for personal residences.

From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026

Meet the “Everywhere Millionaires” proving that elite degrees aren’t a prerequisite for building massive wealth.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026

Moyes aligned himself with Everton fans last weekend when asked about plans to sell Armstrong, saying the club was "managed by an Evertonian" and "supporters aren't always wrong".

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

“Aw, Mama,” I said, “people aren’t going to think we’re starving to death just because I have a few holes in my britches. Every boy in the hills tears holes in his britches.”

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls