have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät 

-ˈnät

: one that is poor especially in material wealth

Examples of have-not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Based on the popular video game series, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2026

The Brewers and the Rays aren’t all scrappy have-nots, however. — Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Another hot inflation report Thursday morning and another terrible day for AI stocks were widening the gap between the haves and have-nots. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2026

There’s a flotilla of yachts, but millions of have-nots, and enough homeless people to fill stadiums. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät, 

-ˈnät

: one that is poor in material wealth