Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

oughtn't

/ˈoːtənt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.86 in modern English

Syllables: ought-n't
IPA: /ˈoːtənt/

11

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

(US, Philippines, dated, rare) ought not (negative auxiliary).

British usage

Example Sentences

"We ought to wake dad, oughtn't we?"

Etymology

From ought + -n't.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈoːtənt/
British English: /ˈɔːtənt/

Usage

British usage

Frequently Paired Words

oughten can't couldn't mayn't mightn't shan't shouldn't won't

Questions

How do you pronounce oughtn't?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈoːtənt/.
What does oughtn't mean?: (US, Philippines, dated, rare) ought not (negative auxiliary).
Where does oughtn't come from?: From ought + -n't.

How to pronounce oughtn't

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