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can1 definition

can (kan; unstressed, kən)

auxiliary verb could

  1. know(s) how to
  2. am, are, or is able to
  3. am, are, or is likely or at all likely to can that be true?
  4. have or has the moral or legal right to
  5. Informal am, are, or is permitted to; may

Etymology: ME < OE, 1st & 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of cunnan, know, have power to, be able; common Gmc < IE base *gen-, *gno- > L gnoscere, know; orig. meaning “to be able mentally or spiritually,” as distinguished from may, “to be able physically”

intransitive verb

  1. know(s) how
  2. am, are, or is able yes I can
  3. am, are, or is likely or at all likely
  4. have or has the moral or legal right
  5. Informal am, are, or is permitted; may

transitive verb

Obsolete know(s)
can Idioms

can but

can only
can2 definition

can (kan)

noun

  1. a container of various kinds, usually made of metal with a separate cover a milk can, a garbage can, a can of shoe polish
  2. ☆ a container made of tinned iron or other metal, in which foods or other perishable products are sealed for preservation
  3. ☆ the amount that a can holds
  4. Slang
    1. a prison
    2. the buttocks
    3. a toilet
    4. tin can (sense )

Etymology: ME & OE canne, a cup, container < Gmc *kanna (> LL canna, a vessel); prob. < IE base *gan(dh), container > MIr gann, ON kani

transitive verb canned, canning can′·ning

  1. to put up in airtight cans or jars for preservation
  2. Slang
    1. to dismiss; discharge
    2. to put an end to; stop
can Idioms

in the can

recorded, filmed, taped, etc. but not yet released for sale, exhibition, broadcast, viewing, etc.
Can definition

Can

  1. Canada
  2. Canadian
  3. Canon

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
can Synonyms

can

n.

  1. A container

    tin, tin can, canister, receptacle, package, jar, bottle, bucket, pail, vessel; no. 1 can, no. 2 can, etc.; see also container.

  2. *Jail

    prison, penitentiary, stir*; see jail.

  3. *A toilet

    lavatory, restroom, washroom; see toilet 2.

  4. *The buttocks

    seat, backside, posterior; see rump.


can

v.

  1. To preserve

    bottle, put up, keep; see preserve 3.

  2. *To discharge

    fire, expel, let go; see dismiss 2.

  3. *To stop

    cease, halt, put a stop to; see stop 2.

  4. To be able

    could, may, be capable of, be able to, know how to, be equal to, be up to, lie in one's power, be within one's area, be within one's control, manage, can do, take care of, make it*, make the grade*, make out*, cut the mustard*, cut it*, hack it*.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

can Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • water: He half-filled a can of water and carried it into the cabin.

Converse of object

  • throw: English fans stoned and threw beer cans at portuguese fans in Gelsenkirchen ( witnessed by a portuguese TV crew ).

Adjective modifier

  • full: P.S I've put a full can of Kronenbourg down and can't find it.

Modifies a noun

  • GP: Sexual health services can also arrange hepatitis C testing as can GPs.

Noun used with modifier

  • watering: If you know it is going to rain leave your watering cans outside to catch the water.
can usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

can quotes

Now, my own suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.

-Haldane,J(ohn) B(urdon) S(anderson)

Pass me the can, lad; there's an end of May.

-Housman, A(lfred) E(dward)

   He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.

-Shaw, George Bernard

can quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"can." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/can>

APA Style

can. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/can

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