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cancel Definition

can·cel (kan′səl)

transitive verb -·celed or -·celled, -·cel·ing or -·cel·ling

    1. to cross out with lines or other marks, as in deleting written matter or marking a check as used and cleared
    2. to print or stamp marks on (a postage stamp) as by machine or handstamp, to prevent reuse
  2. to make invalid; annul
  3. to do away with; wipe out; abolish, withdraw, etc. to cancel an order or a ticket reservation
  4. to neutralize or balance in force or influence; offset: often with out
  5. Math. to remove (a common factor from both terms of a fraction, equivalents of opposite sign or on opposite sides of an equation, etc.)
  6. Printing to delete or omit

Etymology: ME cancellen < Anglo-Fr canceler < LL cancellare, to strike out, cancel < L, to make resemble a lattice < cancelli, pl. of cancellus, lattice, grating, dim. of cancer, crossed bars, lattice, dissimilated < carcer, prison

intransitive verb

to offset or cancel each other: with out

noun

  1. the deletion or omission of matter in type or in print
    1. the matter omitted or deleted
    2. the replacement for this
  3. Informal cancellation (sense )

cancel Related Forms

can′·cel·able adjective can′·celer noun or can′·cel·ler

cancel Synonyms

cancel

v.

  1. To mark out

    erase, eradicate, cross off, cross out, wipe out, rub out, scratch out, scratch off, strike out, strike off, blank out, blot out, sponge out, rule out, wash out, wash off, black out, write off, efface, deface, delete, dele, cut, destroy, undo, expunge, obliterate, omit, drop, render invalid, stamp across, wipe the slate clean*; see also eliminate 1, remove 1.

    Antonyms maintain*, sanction*, renew. *

  2. To make void

    annul, revoke, call off, recant, vacate, repudiate, nullify, negate, neutralize, ignore, invalidate, suppress, countermand, set aside, render null and void, declare null and void, declare invalid, rule out, refute, rescind, remove, repeal, counteract, recall, retract, reverse, abrogate, discharge, void, render void, put an end to, abort, drop, do away with, discontinue, withdraw, offset, counterpoise, balance out, render inert, deprive of force, overthrow, scratch*, scrap*, scrub*; see also abolish, discard, revoke.

    Antonyms sustain*, approve*, uphold.

cancel Law Definition

v

  1. To blot out, deface, mark off, perforate, destroy, or otherwise physically alter a writing to render it void.
  2. To annul, terminate, or revoke a promise or obligation.

cancel Usage Examples

Object

  • booking: How can I check or cancel bookings on Short Loans?
  • submission: We will be unable to cancel any such submission on your behalf and will not refund any payment you have made.
  • registration: A hearing of the proposal to cancel the registration was set for the 8 th March by the city council.
  • debt: He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow.
  • contract: Should you cancel the contract we will then refund you the price you have paid for the goods.
  • reservation: Trust me, neither of us canceled this reservation.

Preposition: at

  • minute: There will also be a guarantee for patients whose surgery is canceled at the last minute that the operation taking place quickly.
  • notice: If possible it should also cover travel cost reimbursement, just in case your project is canceled at short notice.

Noun phrase with adjective complement

due: We have recently canceled courses due to low numbers and then found that late applications would have made them viable after all.

Modifies a noun

button: Holding the cancel button down allows you to nudge backward.

Modifying Another Word

  • anytime: You can cancel anytime by clicking the button below.
  • due: However, the planned school for 1915 in Antwerp had to be canceled due to the First World War.
  • subsequently: The danger is that having got the mortgage, they subsequently cancel their savings scheme.

Adjective complement

  • due: On the Thursday the dive shop rang to say the dive was canceled due to a bad weather forecast.
  • less: Please note we do operate a 100 % cancelation fee on all treatments canceled less than 24 hours prior to appointment time.

Used with why or when

when: A phone call confirmed that the order was made, but revealed that it had been canceled when I tried to modify it.

Present participle complement

owe: CANCELED owing to renovation work at the Florence Nightingale pub this month.

Preposition: without

penalty: It is a monthly insurance policy, which you may cancel without penalty at any time.

Preposition: in

accordance: A separate cancelation charge will be levied in respect of bookings canceled in accordance with paragraph 4 below.

Preposition: for

reason: Once you take out a trial subscription, you can cancel for any reason.

Browse dictionary entries near cancel

  1. ‹ cancan
  2. ‹ canc
  3. ‹ Canberra
  4. ‹ Canaveral
  5. ‹ canasta
  6. ‹ canary yellow
  7. ‹ Canary Islands
  8. ‹ canary grass
  9. ‹ canary
  10. ‹ canard
  1. cancellation ›
  2. cancellous ›
  3. cancer ›
  4. cancerous ›
  5. cancerphobia ›
  6. cancroid ›
  7. candela ›
  8. candelabrum ›
  9. candelilla ›
  10. candent ›