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

Unlike e-bikes, or the electric scooters that preceded them, delivery robots aren’t yet causing widespread physical harm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

“You could tokenmaxx all day long but get outcomes that aren’t what you desired.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Investors aren’t waiting for Elon Musk and SpaceX to go public to invest in the so-called space economy, which is already hot, according to a new report.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 14, 2026

"Obviously he's no longer here so we aren't able to keep him accountable," said Sarah.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

It’s a feeling I’m familiar with even though I often try to convince myself that my feelings about that aren’t real.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam