don't

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contraction

ˈdōnt

: do not

: does not

Usage of Don't

Don't is the earliest attested contraction of does not and until about 1900 was the standard spoken form in the U.S. (it survived as spoken standard longer in British English). Dialect surveys find it more common in the speech of the less educated than in that of the educated; in those places (such as the Midland and southern Atlantic seaboard regions) where it has lasted in educated speech, it is most common with older informants. Surveys of attitudes toward usage show it more widely disapproved in 1971 than it had been 40 years earlier. Its chief use in edited prose is in fiction for purposes of characterization. It is sometimes used consciously, like ain't, to gain an informal effect.

don't

2 of 2

noun

: a command or entreaty not to do something

a list of dos and don'ts

Examples of don't in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Follow these do's and don'ts to make customer journeys more meaningful: Do: Focus on data that directly improves the customer experience, such as preferences, purchases or cross-channel engagement. —

Ross Andrew Paquette, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 But before choosing a plant as a present, here are some dos and don'ts to keep in mind to ensure your leafy gift goes over well with your recipient. —

Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024 Experts share the dos and don'ts of expressing condolences. 2. —

Malaka Gharib, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024 The do's and don'ts of celebrating holiday birthdays. —

Macie Stump, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for don't