Ain’t

Ain’t is an English colloquialism that has been used since at least the 1700s.  A colloquialism is a word or phrase that has arisen from English but is not considered formal or grammatical. Colloquial words or phrases are used very frequently in spoken English. Ain’t is probably a derivative of amn’t, a contraction for ‘am not’ that is still heard in Ireland and Scotland today, having arisen during the 1600s. Ain’t is often considered controversial and deemed to be the type of English used by uneducated and rural people. In the U.S. it is most associated with the South.  Often, it is used for effect in writing of by people who want to appear to be less educated or formal than they are, usually unsuccessfully.

Meaning of ‘Ain’t’

Ain’t is a folksy, and widely derided contraction of am/ are / is not and have / has  not.

Sentence Examples

“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

“He ain’t gonna bring back the car until tomorrow.”

“Mike said they decided they ain’t getting married until next year.”

“Hey, we ain’t got any dish soap. Can you go buy some? And some milk.”

“They ain’t home yet. I’ll call them later.”

“Yes I called him but he ain’t answering his phone.”

“You ain’t got the money to be buying a new car.”

“It ain’t no business of yours!”

“Ain’t I the one who always helps you when you need it?”

Some common expressions with ain’t:

• If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
• You ain’t seen (or heard) nothing yet.
• Say it ain’t so!
• Ain’t it the truth!

More English Colloquialisms

• Cheesy
• Gank
• Ralph
• Moolah
• Pal
• Antsy
• A Little Bit
• Babycakes
• Touchy
• Dupe