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can
1[ kan; unstressed kuhn ]
auxiliary verb
- to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:
She can solve the problem easily, I'm sure.
- to know how to:
He can play chess, although he's not particularly good at it.
- to have the power or means to:
A dictator can impose his will on the people.
- to have the right or qualifications to:
He can change whatever he wishes in the script.
- may; have permission to:
Can I speak to you for a moment?
- to have the possibility:
A coin can land on either side.
verb (used with or without object)
- Obsolete. to know.
can
2[ kan ]
noun
- a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal:
a can of soup.
- a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc.:
a trash can.
- a bucket, pail, or other container for holding or carrying liquids:
water can.
- a drinking cup; tankard.
- a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels.
- Slang. jail ( def 1 ):
He's been in the can for a week.
- Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.
- cans, Slang. a set of headphones designed to cover the ears. Compare earbuds.
- Military Slang.
- a depth charge.
- a destroyer.
verb (used with object)
- to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc.
- Slang. to dismiss; fire.
- Slang. to throw (something) away.
- Slang. to put a stop to:
Can that noise!
- to record, as on film or tape.
can.
3abbreviation for
- canceled.
- canon.
- canto.
Can.
4abbreviation for
- Canada.
- Canadian.
Can.
1abbreviation for
- Canada
- Canadian
can
2/ kæn /
noun
- a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal
a petrol can
beer can
- another name (esp US) for tin
- Also calledcanful the contents of a can or the amount a can will hold
- a slang word for prison
- a slang word for toilet or buttocks See toilet
- navy a slang word for destroyer
- slang.navy a depth charge
- a shallow cylindrical metal container of varying size used for storing and handling film
- can of worms informal.a complicated problem
- carry the canSee carry
- in the can
- (of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
- arranged or agreed
the contract is almost in the can
verb
- to put (food, etc) into a can or cans; preserve in a can
- slang.tr to dismiss from a job
- informal.tr to stop (doing something annoying or making an annoying noise) (esp in the phrase can it! )
- informal.tr to reject or discard
can
3/ kæn; kən /
verb
- used as an auxiliary to indicate ability, skill, or fitness to perform a task
I can run a mile in under four minutes
- used as an auxiliary to indicate permission or the right to something
can I have a drink?
- used as an auxiliary to indicate knowledge of how to do something
he can speak three languages fluently
- 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
Usage
Confusables Note
Word History and Origins
Origin of can1
Origin of can2
Word History and Origins
Origin of can1
Origin of can2
Idioms and Phrases
- carry the can, British and Canadian Slang. to take the responsibility.
- 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
So it's really a take-what-you-can-get kind of situation with him.
The shards of one can be used to cut someone (never mind the constant availability of soup-can tops).
But no deal has been as bold as their newest: all-you-can-eat appetizers for the summer.
Just how dedicated is the mega-chain to its new all-you-can-eat summer promotion?
However, limit yourself to one plate rather than adopting an all-you-can-eat mindset.
From Bungay in Suffolk comes the news that a water-wagtail has built its nest in a milk-can.
When he waded past Captain Can-dage he heard the old skipper trying to comfort the girl, his voice low and broken by sobs.
He kept his worms there, between his cap lining and his hair; it saved the trouble of a bait-can.
"Mind old Jerry's ghost doesn't catch hold of you," cried her waggish brother Jack, as she crossed the threshold, tea-can in hand.
Bob, Bob, massa him want can-noo go see great big ship mighty quick.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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