isn't

alternative pronunciation spelling idn't · alternative Northern England informal in't · alternative West Country slang i'n · alternative Scotland isnae

1. abbreviationcontractionContraction of is + not (negative auxiliary).

   Nice day, isn't it?

   2 more examples

   I suppose she's hungry, isn't she?

   As we age, the major arteries of our bodies frequently become thickened with plaque, a fatty material with an oatmeal-like consistency that builds up along the inner lining of blood vessels. The reason plaque forms isn’t entirely known, but it seems to be related to high levels of cholesterol inducing an inflammatory response, which can also attract and trap more cellular debris over time.

   2013 July-August, Stephen P. Lownie, David M. Pelz, “Stents to Prevent Stroke”, in American Scientist

plural isn'ts · alternative pronunciation spelling idn't · alternative Northern England informal in't · alternative West Country slang i'n · alternative Scotland isnae

1. colloquialnonstandardSomething or someone that is defined by the lack of the characteristic being discussed.

   The most obvious recommendations for Joe Biden are a succession of “isn’ts.” He isn’t Donald Trump. He isn’t Bernie Sanders. He isn’t angry, bigoted, cruel, demagogic, erratic, frightening or gross. He isn’t going to drive Americans to distraction or the country into a ditch.

   2020 August 17, Bret Stephens, “On Being a Biden Conservative”, in The New York Times