oughtn't

English

Etymology

From ought +‎ -n't.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɔːnt/, /ˈɔː.tənt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɔt.n̩t/, (cot-cought merger) /ˈɑt.n̩t/

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -ɔːnt, -ɔːtənt, -ɔtn̩t, -ɑtn̩t

Verb

oughtn't

1. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth) (US, Philippines, dated, rare) ought not (negative auxiliary).

Usage notes

Oughtn't has become rare in North America, and ought not has itself become much less common than it once was there as well.

Coordinate terms

• can't, couldn't, mayn't, mightn't, shan't, shouldn't, won't, wouldn't

See also

• oughten
• Appendix:English modal verbs
• Appendix:English tag questions