have-not
C1Formal, journalistic, socio-political discourse. Less common in casual conversation.
Definition
Meaning
a person or group lacking wealth, possessions, or basic necessities; one who is poor or deprived.
Can refer to individuals, communities, or nations lacking economic resources, social advantages, or opportunities, often contrasted with the "haves." Metaphorically, can describe lacking non-material advantages (e.g., information, influence).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a countable noun (plural: have-nots). Often used in the contrasting pair "the haves and the have-nots." Implies a systemic or comparative state of deprivation rather than temporary circumstance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in both varieties. The term is equally recognized.
Connotations
Carries strong socio-economic and political connotations. Can be seen as slightly dated or clichéd in some modern economic discourse.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in political rhetoric; common in British English in journalistic analysis.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[the] + have-nots[the] + haves and have-nots[growing/wide] + gap between + the haves and the have-notsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The haves and the have-nots”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in discussions of market inequality, consumer segmentation (e.g., "targeting the haves, ignoring the have-nots").
Academic
Common in sociology, economics, and political science texts analysing inequality and social stratification.
Everyday
Rare in casual talk. Might appear in discussions about news, politics, or social issues.
Technical
Not typically a technical term; used descriptively rather than with a precise, measurable definition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The policy was criticised for further marginalising the have-nots.
- In Victorian London, the chasm between the haves and have-nots was stark.
American English
- The new tax bill seems to favor the haves over the have-nots.
- Bridging the digital divide between the haves and have-nots is a key challenge.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The documentary highlighted the lives of the have-nots in the inner city.
- Charities often work to support the have-nots in our society.
- Globalisation has arguably intensified the division between the international haves and have-nots.
- The minister's speech addressed the plight of the educational have-nots, who lack access to quality schools.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: HAVE-NOT = they HAVE NOT got what they need. The hyphen visually connects the state of 'having not'.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH/ADVANTAGE IS POSSESSION. Poverty is conceptualised as a state of 'not having' material or abstract objects.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid calquing as "иметь-нет". The correct equivalent is a descriptive phrase like "неимущие", "обездоленные", "те, у кого ничего нет".
Common Mistakes
- Using as an adjective (*a have-not person). It's a noun. | Forgetting the hyphen (*have not). | Using without 'the' or the contrasting 'haves' (*Society is divided into have-nots).
Practice
Quiz
In which phrase is 'have-nots' used most naturally?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, hyphenated compound noun: 'have-not'.
Yes, but it's less common. Typically, it's used in the plural ('the have-nots') or in the paired phrase 'the haves and the have-nots'. You could say 'He was a have-not', but it sounds somewhat literary or journalistic.
'The have-nots' is more explicitly relational and contrastive, inherently implying a comparison with 'the haves'. 'The poor' is a more general, absolute descriptor of economic state.
It is descriptive and formal, not inherently offensive. However, like any label for disadvantaged groups, context and tone matter. It can sound impersonal or dismissive if used without sensitivity.