ain’t
Preserved but no longer current.
Also seen as: ain'
Meaning · English
The vulgar abbreviation of "am not," "are not," or "is not."
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “ain’t” mean?
The vulgar abbreviation of "am not," "are not," or "is not."
Is “ain’t” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.