ain't
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From the earlier form an’t, a contraction of am not. The shift from IPA: /ænt/ to IPA: /eɪnt/ parallels a similar change in some dialects with can't. In other dialects the pronunciation shifted to IPA: /ɑːnt/, again as in can't, and the spelling aren't, when used to mean "am not", is due to the fact that both words are pronounced IPA: /ɑːnt/ in some non-rhotic dialects. Historically, ain't was present in many dialects of the English language, but not in the southeastern England dialect that became the standard, where it is only found in the construction aren't I?.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Contraction
ain't
- (dialectal or informal) are not, aren’t; is not, isn’t; am not.
- (dialectal, informal) have not, haven’t; has not, hasn’t.
- (dialectal, informal) do not, don’t; does not, doesn’t; did not, didn’t.
[edit] Usage notes
This word is commonly considered non-standard and is possibly stigmatized often based on racist issues, with its users being perceived as not as literate as the users of standard English. However, its use is common among all social classes.
[edit] Quotations
- 1885 — Gilbert & Sullivan, The Mikado
- We figure in lively paint -
- Our attitude’s queer and quaint —
- You’re wrong if you think it ain't, oh!
