can

¹ American  

[kan, kuhn] / kæn, kən /

auxiliary verb

present singular 1st person

can,

2nd

can,

2nd

canst,

3rd

can,

present plural

can,

past singular 1st person

could,

2nd

could,

2nd

couldst,

3rd

could,

past plural

could

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.

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verb (used with or without object)

present singular 1st person

can,

2nd

can,

2nd

canst,

3rd

can,

present plural

can,

past singular 1st person

could,

2nd

could,

2nd

couldst,

3rd

could,

past plural

could,

imperative

can,

infinitive

can,

past participle

could,

present participle

cunning

1. Obsolete. to know.

can ² American  

[kan] / kæn /

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.

   He's been in the can for a week.

8. Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.

9. Slang. cans, a set of headphones designed to cover the ears.

10. Military Slang.

    1. a depth charge.

    2. a destroyer.

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verb (used with object)

canned, canning

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.

idioms

1. carry the can, to take the responsibility.

2. in the can, recorded on film; completed.

   The movie is in the can and ready for release.

can. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. canceled.

2. canon.

3. canto.

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Can. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

1. Canada.

2. Canadian.

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can ¹ British  

/ 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 called: canful.  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. informal a complicated problem

10. See carry

11. 1. (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc

    2. informal arranged or agreed

       the contract is almost in the can

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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 ² British  

/ 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

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Can. ³ British  

abbreviation

1. Canada

2. Canadian

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can More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing can

• as best one can
• before you can say Jack Robinson
• bite off more than one can chew
• can't
• 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

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Usage

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. See also help.

Commonly Confused

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.

Etymology

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”

Explanation

A can is a metal container, usually cylindrical in shape, which has an airtight seal when it's new. All kinds of goods come in cans, from fruit and vegetables to paint and oil. The verb can means to preserve food in a can or glass jar. If your garden produces more tomatoes than you can possibly eat, you might make salsa and can it to eat all winter long. Can is also a slang word with several meanings. It means rear end, toilet, and it also means to fire someone: "Watch out, the boss canned three people yesterday! You could be next."

Example Sentences

We’re told that constant attention is a moral duty, but averting our eyes can help us reflect and respond.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

Riding the La Grande XL costs $15 for a 10-minute general admission ride, but you can spend $80 for a private gondola for up to six people and an express lane.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Helen is currently at Swansea's Morriston Hospital after developing autoimmune encephalitis, a complication that can follow the viral form.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

“The Islamabad Talks laid the foundation for a diplomatic process that, if trust and will are strengthened, can create a sustainable framework for the interests of all parties.” he wrote on social media.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

After that, she calls over her shoulder, “Frank, can you watch the register?”

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• bottle
• bucket
• canister
• jar
• package