Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

shan't

/ʃænt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.20 in modern English

Syllables: shan't
IPA: /ʃænt/

8

Scrabble Score

5

Letters

1

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Contraction of shall + not (negative auxiliary).

Canadian usage; New Zealand usage; British usage; Archaic; Colloquial; Dated

Example Sentences

"I shan't be coming back after the way you've treated me today."
"Shall I or shan't I?"
"That's not a threat, sir, for they have played fair with me, and I sha'n't sacrifice a penny of their money—unless they force me to do so. But—I'm in control. I'm sitting pretty. They can't unseat me, and I warn them not to try."

Etymology

From shall + -n't; contraction of shalln't or shall not, historically via shannot.

Word Breakdown

Suffix: shall

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ʃænt/
British English: /ʃɑːnt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

shalln't (alternative) sha'n't (alternative)

Frequently Paired Words

can't couldn't mayn't mightn't oughtn't shouldn't won't wouldn't

Rhymes With

plant grant cant aunt ant little black ant coral plant transplant rant chant implant argentine ant

Questions

How do you pronounce shan't?: The recorded pronunciation is /ʃænt/.
What does shan't mean?: Contraction of shall + not (negative auxiliary).
Where does shan't come from?: From shall + -n't; contraction of shalln't or shall not, historically via shannot.

How to pronounce shan't

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