ain't

contraction \ ˈānt \

Definition of ain't

1 : am not : are not : is not

2 : have not : has not

Is ain't a word?

Although widely disapproved as nonstandard, and more common in the habitual speech of the less educated, ain't is flourishing in American English. It is used in both speech and writing to catch attention and to gain emphasis.

- the wackiness of movies, once so deliciously amusing, ain't funny anymore
- —Richard Schickel
- I am telling you—there ain't going to be any blackmail
- —R. M. Nixon

It is used especially in journalistic prose as part of a consistently informal style.

- the creative process ain't easy
- —Mike Royko

This informal ain't is commonly distinguished from habitual ain't by its frequent occurrence in fixed constructions and phrases.

- well—class it ain't
- —Cleveland Amory
- for money? say it ain't so, Jimmy!
- —Andy Rooney
- you ain't seen nothing yet
- that ain't hay
- two out of three ain't bad
- if it ain't broke, don't fix it

In fiction ain't is used for purposes of characterization; in familiar correspondence it tends to be the mark of a warm personal friendship. It has also long been commonly used in popular songs, both for metrical reasons and for the informal tone it conveys.

- Ain't She Sweet
- It Ain't Necessarily So

Our evidence shows British use to be much the same as American.

Examples of ain't in a Sentence

It's a free country, ain't it?
Those people ain't got a clue.
Her husband left and she ain't never been the same.

Origin and Etymology of ain't

contraction of are not

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1749

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

Other Grammar and Linguistics Terms

ablaut, allusion, anacoluthon, diacritic, gerund, idiom, infinitive, metaphor, semiotics, simile

AIN'T Defined for Kids

ain't

\ ˈānt \

Definition of ain't for Students

1 : am not : are not : is not

… the man who swept the streets said: “Well now, ain't that nice!”
—Robert McCloskey, Make Way for Ducklings

2 : have not : has not

“She ain't seen me for a week …”
—Richard Peck, A Long Way From Chicago

Hint for ain't

Hint

Most people feel that ain't is not proper English. When you are trying to speak or write your best, you should avoid using ain't. Most people who use ain't use it especially when they are talking in a casual way, or in familiar expressions like “you ain't seen nothing yet.” Authors use it especially when a character is talking to help you understand what the character is like.