have-not

noun

ˈhav-ˌnät How to pronounce have-not (audio)
-ˈnät
: one that is poor especially in material wealth

Examples of have-not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are haves and have-nots, and the haves usually win. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2024 The Warriors were example No. 1 about the big-spending teams driving a wedge between haves and have-nots. Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic, 3 July 2024 Ultimately, the perennial haves and have-nots will always be a factor too. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 In his worldview, there are hereditary haves and have-nots. Arthur Caplan, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for have-not 

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of have-not was in 1836

Dictionary Entries Near have-not

Cite this Entry

“Have-not.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/have-not. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

have-not

noun
ˈhav-ˌnät,
-ˈnät
: one that is poor in material wealth

More from Merriam-Webster on have-not

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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