haven't

See also: havent

English

Etymology

have +‎ -n't

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈhævn̩t/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Homophone: Havant

Verb

haven't

1. have not (negative form of have)
   • 1694, Titus Maccius Plautus, Plautus's comedies, Amphitryon, Epidicus, and Rudens, Made English: With Critical Remarks Upon Each Play, page 170:

     Sce.: Which I'd grant ye, if ye came at Midnight; but now I haven't the conveniency o' supplying your Wants.'

Usage notes

In North America, haven't is almost always used only when followed by got or as an auxiliary. Thus I haven't any money would typically be I don't have any money or occasionally I haven't got any money, but very rarely as I haven't any money, which would be more common in British English. Auxiliary use, as in I haven't seen him, is fully standard in all varieties.

Synonyms

• hain't, han't (both dialectal, archaic)