can

¹

[ kan; unstressed kuhn ]

auxiliary verb

3rd: couldpresent singular 1st person: canpast plural: could2nd: could or (Archaic) couldst2nd: can or (Archaic) canstpast singular 1st person: couldpresent plural: can3rd: can

1. to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:

   She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.

2. to know how to:

   He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.

3. to have the power or means to:

   A dictator can impose his will on the people.

4. to have the right or qualifications to:

   He can change whatever he wishes in the script.

5. may; have permission to:

   Can I speak to you for a moment?

6. to have the possibility:

   A coin can land on either side.

verb (used with or without object)

2nd: could or (Archaic) couldst3rd: can3rd: could2nd: can or (Archaic) canstpresent plural: canpresent participle: cunningpast participle: couldpresent singular 1st person: canpast plural: couldinfinitive: canpast singular 1st person: couldimperative: can

1. Obsolete. to know.

can

²

[ kan ]

noun

1. a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal:

   a can of soup.

2. a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.:

   a trash can.

3. a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids:

   water can.

4. a drinking cup; tankard.
5. a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.
6. Slang: Usually Vulgar. toilet; bathroom.
7. Slang. jail ( def 1 ):

   He's been in the can for a week.

8. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.
9. cans, Slang. a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds.
10. Military Slang.
    1. a depth charge.
    2. a destroyer.

verb (used with object)

, canned, can·ning.

1. to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.
2. Slang. to dismiss; fire.
3. Slang. to throw (something) away.
4. Slang. to put a stop to:

   Can that noise!

5. to record, as on film or tape.

can.

³

abbreviation for

1. canceled.
2. canon.
3. canto.

Can.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. Canada.
2. Canadian.

Can.

¹

abbreviation for

1. Canada
2. Canadian

can

²

/ kæn /

noun

1. a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal

   a petrol can

   beer can

2. another name (esp US) for tin
3. Also calledcanful the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold
4. a slang word for prison
5. a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet
6. navy a slang word for destroyer
7. slang.
   navy a depth charge
8. a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film
9. can of worms informal.
   a complicated problem
10. carry the can
    See carry
11. in the can
    1. (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
    2. arranged or agreed

       the contract is almost in the can

verb

1. to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can
2. slang.
   tr to dismiss from a job
3. informal.
   tr to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it! )
4. informal.
   tr to reject or discard

can

³

/ kæn; kən /

verb

1. used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task

   I can run a mile in under four minutes

2. used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something

   can I have a drink?

3. used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something

   he can speak three languages fluently

4. used as an auxiliary to indicate the possibility, opportunity, or likelihood

   my trainer says I can win the race if I really work hard

Usage Note

Can but and cannot but are formal and now somewhat old-fashioned expressions suggesting that there is no possible alternative to doing something. Can but is equivalent to can only: We can but do our best. Cannot but is the equivalent of cannot help but: We cannot but protest against these injustices. help.

Usage

See may 1

Confusables Note

Can1 and may1 are frequently but not always interchangeable in senses indicating possibility: A power failure can (or may ) occur at any time. Despite the insistence by some, that can means only “to be able” and may means “to be permitted,” both are regularly used in seeking or granting permission: Can (or May ) I borrow your glue gun? You can (or may ) use it tomorrow. Sentences using can occur chiefly in spoken English. May in this sense occurs more frequently in formal contexts: May I address the court, Your Honor? In negative constructions, can't or cannot is more common than may not : You can't have it today. I need it myself. The contraction mayn't is rare.

Word History and Origins

Origin of can¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English, present indicative singular 1st, 3rd person of cunnan “to know, know how”; cognate with German, Old Norse, Gothic kann; ken, know ¹

Origin of can²

First recorded before 1000; Middle English canne, can(e), Old English canne, cognate with German Kanne, Old Norse kanna, all perhaps from West Germanic; compare Late Latin canna “small vessel”

Word History and Origins

Origin of can¹

Old English canne; related to Old Norse, Old High German kanna, Irish gann, Swedish kana sled

Origin of can²

Old English cunnan; related to Old Norse kunna, Old High German kunnan, Latin cognōscere to know, Sanskrit jānāti he knows; see ken , uncouth

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. carry the can, British and Canadian Slang. to take the responsibility.
2. in the can, recorded on film; completed:

   The movie is in the can and ready for release.

More idioms and phrases containing can

• as best one can
• before you can say Jack Robinson
• bite off more than one can chew
• carry the can
• catch as catch can
• game that two can play
• get the ax (can)
• in the can
• more than one can shake a stick at
• no can do
• you can bet your ass
• you can lead a horse to water
• you can say that again
• you never can tell
• can't

Example Sentences

In 2024, Trump’s win of both the popular vote and the presidency can be seen as an improvement on his last victory eight years ago.

From BBC

But the chancellor is banking that the impact of the Budget, next spring's spending review and forthcoming reforms to skills, planning and more can ignite some economic growth.

From BBC

The 52-year-old runs one of the most successful entertainment companies in the world, but you can tell his first love is performing.

From Los Angeles Times

According to the CDC, people with listeria can start to feel sick within two weeks after eating contaminated food.

From Los Angeles Times

“President Trump campaigned on firing rogue bureaucrats who have engaged in the illegal weaponization of our American justice system, and the American people can expect he will deliver on that promise,” she told the outlet.

From Salon

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package