Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

n't

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.58 in modern English

Syllables: n't
IPA

2

Scrabble Score

2

Letters

1

Syllables

2

Unique Chars

Meaning

contraction

not

Colloquial; Dated

Example Sentences

"Do n’t tell me you ‘have n’t got time,’ / That other things claim your attention; / There ’s not the least reason or rhyme / In the wisest excuse you can mention: / Do n’t tell me about ‘other fish,’ / Your duty is done when you buy ’em; / And you never will relish the dish, / Unless you ’ve a woman to ‘fry ’em.’"
"Will n't ye gie us a bit o' time ?—Will n't ye consent to mak' your changes rather more slowly?"
"The only reply is that we did n't. That is the irrefragable fact. We did n't."

Etymology

Contraction of not.

Usage

Questions

What does n't mean?: not
Where does n't come from?: Contraction of not.

How to pronounce n't

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “n't”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “n't”.
Repeat and practice — Say “n't” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.