Can Definition

kăn; kən when unstressed
ca, canned, canning, cans, could
verb
canned, canning, cans
Used to indicate physical or mental ability.
I can carry both suitcases. Can you remember the war?
American Heritage
Used to indicate possession of a specified power, right, or privilege.
The president can veto congressional bills.
American Heritage
Used to indicate possession of a specified capability or skill.
I can tune the harpsichord as well as play it.
American Heritage
Used to indicate possibility or probability.
I wonder if my long lost neighbor can still be alive. Such things can and do happen.
American Heritage
Used to indicate that which is permitted, as by conscience or feelings.
One can hardly blame you for being upset.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
noun
cans
Any of various containers usually or traditionally cylindrical, made of metal, and with a separate cover.
A milk can, a garbage can, a can of shoe polish.
Webster's New World
A container made of tinned iron or other metal, in which foods or other perishable products are sealed for preservation.
Webster's New World
The contents of such a container.
Ate a can of beans.
American Heritage
The amount that a can holds.
Webster's New World
A prison.
Webster's New World
abbreviation
Canceled.
American Heritage
Cancellation.
American Heritage
Canon.
Webster's New World
Canada.
Webster's New World
Canadian.
Webster's New World
idiom
can of corn
  • Something that is easily accomplished, especially a routine catch of a fly ball in baseball.
American Heritage
can of worms
  • A complex or difficult problem.
American Heritage
in the can
  • Completed and ready for release, as a film or scene of a film.
American Heritage
can but
  • can only
Webster's New World
in the can
  • recorded, filmed, taped, etc. but not yet released for sale, exhibition, broadcast, viewing, etc.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Can

Noun

Singular:
can
Plural:
cans

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Can

Origin of Can

  • From Middle English canne, from Old English canne (“glass, container, cup, can”), from Proto-Germanic *kannǭ (“can, tankard, mug, cup”), perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *gan-, *gandʰ- (“a vessel”). Cognate with Scots can (“can”), West Frisian kanne (“a jug, pitcher”), Dutch kan (“pot, mug”), German Kanne (“can, tankard, mug”), Danish kande (“can, mug, a measure”), Swedish kanna (“can, tankard, mug”), Icelandic kanna (“a can”).

    From Wiktionary

  • From Middle English can (first and third person singular of cunnen, connen "to be able, know how") from Old English can(n), first and third person singular of cunnan (“to know how”), from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną, from Proto-Indo-European, *ǵn̥néh₃-. Compare Dutch kunnen, Low German könen, German können, Danish kunne. More at canny, cunning.

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English first and third person sing. present tense of connen to know how from Old English cunnan gnō- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English first and third person sing. present tense of connen to know how from Old English cunnan gnō- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English canne a water container from Old English

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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