can
auxiliary verb
to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to.
can
1 American
[kan, kuhn]
/ kæn, kən /
auxiliary verb
-
can,
present (3rd person singular)
-
could
past
-
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)
-
can,
present (3rd person singular)
-
could,
past, past participle
-
cunning
present participle
can
2
American
[kan]
/ kæn /
noun
-
cans
plural
-
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.
He's been in the can for a week.
-
Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks.
-
Slang. cans, a set of headphones designed to cover the ears.
-
Military Slang.
-
a depth charge.
-
a destroyer.
-
verb (used with object)
canned,
canning
-
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.
idioms
-
carry the can, to take the responsibility.
-
in the can, recorded on film; completed.
The movie is in the can and ready for release.
can.
3
American
abbreviation
-
canceled.
-
canon.
-
canto.
Can.
4
American
abbreviation
-
Canada.
-
Canadian.
can
1
British
/ kæn /
noun
-
a container, esp for liquids, usually of thin sheet metal
a petrol can
beer can
-
another name (esp US) for tin
-
Also called: canful. 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
-
informal a complicated problem
-
See carry
-
-
(of a film, piece of music, etc) having been recorded, processed, edited, etc
-
informal 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
2
British
/ 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
Can.
3
British
abbreviation
-
Canada
-
Canadian
can
More Idioms
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.
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
cansimple
-
have couldperfect
-
has couldperfect
-
am cunningprogressive
-
are cunningprogressive
-
is cunningprogressive
-
have been cunningperfect progressive
-
has been cunningperfect progressive
Past
-
couldsimple
-
had couldperfect
-
was cunningprogressive
-
were cunningprogressive
-
had been cunningperfect progressive
Future
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; see 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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
She said if AI was used to create more diversity and inclusion, then "when we compare ourselves, we feel alike and similar, which can either have a neutral or positive impact on our wellbeing".
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
He added: "An environment where things like this can happen is no place to grow artificial minds that could be smarter than we are and that might not do what we want them to."
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
“If we can do that, then we’ll be in a better spot.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
“It’s playing out in a kind of celebratory way—look at what we can do, look at who we are—that’s the sense you’re getting from his supporters.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 3, 2026
In our time, we control most epileptic symptoms with powerful drugs called "anticonvulsants," because uncontrolled seizures can cause their own brain damage.
From "Phineas Gage" by John Fleischman
"We try to help the Ukrainians where we best can. We also have active conversation channels with American negotiators," he added.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
“We need to get sick people out of their communities as fast as we can. We are doing our best to work with local leaders; otherwise, they will continue infecting others,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
"If they can do it, I can. It's representation. It's connection. It's my identity."
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
“We’re all comrades in this. I feel so good to be here and help however I can. Many of us don’t have that luxury.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 26, 2026
“Yes, of course you can. And you will!” he says, grabbing Marlena’s hand and pulling her to her feet.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
When the apartment finally went quiet, I opened my Notes app and typed: “You. Can. Have. It. All.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 6, 2025
Max Dufour Montreal, Can., backside 360 kickflip tail grab to fakie 3.
From Time Magazine Archive
Can., 56., says that by the canon law, he that is archipresbyter is also called dean.
From Notes and Queries, Number 231, April 1, 1854 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by George Bell
Those of British Columbia, Can., gave the Provincial franchise but had not the power to give it for Dominion elections.
From The History of Woman Suffrage, Volume V by Ida Husted Harper
Salt and brackish places, on the coast from Can. to Va., along the Great Lakes, and far westward.—Var. littoràle, Gray.
From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Asa Gray
Decked out in Lidl’s signature colors and decorated with instant coffee and soup cans, the pub serves takeaway drinks around the back.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Bottles of oil, packets of salt and a few tin cans lie among the debris.
From Barron's ● Sep. 27, 2026
He’s most famous for taking cylindrical soup cans and making them flat, but he also saw celebrity culture coming.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
Beachcombers scooped up artifacts including beer cans from the early 20th century.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026
I was a big fan of garbage cans these days.
From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm
Rolapp cited an industry estimate that additional evening daylight could produce 23 million more rounds of golf and $1 billion in annual revenue.
From Salon ● Oct. 3, 2026
Kasyanov told AFP in 2022 that the war could last about two years.
From Barron's ● Oct. 3, 2026
Punter and holder Ethan Evans had a close-up view of the first part, but could not stop the second.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 3, 2026
Diedrichs said AI models in advertising could enable small brands to have a large number of diverse models, or global brands to advertise in multiple markets.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
“Wish I could trade you for a horse.”
From "Will’s Race for Home" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Shenanigan and her crew must use all their wit, nerve and cunning they possess to discover a killer in a world where everyone, it seems, is running her own con.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
He is cunning, not intelligent — something he unwittingly proves every time he claims that passing a basic mental competency test shows his brilliance.
From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026
When free agency opens Tuesday, Pelinka is just going to have to show us how creative he can be, how clever and cunning.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
He was the runner-up in 2022, armed with the cunning plan of writing a good song – the 70s glam rock pastiche Space Man – and being good at performing it.
From BBC ● May 17, 2026
As the onlookers scrutinized the position, Bobby’s ploy became obvious to all: Although not profound, it was cunning, perhaps ingenious, and even brilliant.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Processing tomatoes — those used in products such as canned diced tomatoes and ketchup — are also fetching lower prices than they did a few years ago.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026
"There is little difference nutritionally between canned and fresh food in terms of macronutrients, like carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fibre, as well as fat-soluble vitamins, like vitamin A and E, and minerals," she says.
From BBC ● Sep. 20, 2026
He’s a partial owner of the canned yerba mate brand Mateina, but he “loves it without bias.”
From Slate ● Sep. 18, 2026
Soybean oil appears in salad dressings, mayonnaise, baked goods, infant formula, snacks and fried foods; soy lecithin emulsifies chocolate and bread; and soy protein fortifies energy bars, breakfast cereals and canned soup.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
The new basement shelter had a four-inch-thick door, Army cots and canned food, a direct phone line to the Pentagon’s bomb shelter, and a shower to wash off radioactive fallout.
From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin
Meanwhile, Bumble Bee Foods plans to lay off 197 workers on Nov. 19 and estimates that it will lay off another 36 workers when the fish canning facility finally closes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2026
Just this week, Disney announced sizable layoffs under the guise of “streamlining operations,” canning a large percentage of Marvel’s award-winning visual effects team that has been with the studio for years.
From Salon ● Apr. 17, 2026
While the canning process preserved the outer structure of the worms, it destroyed the internal features scientists would need to identify specific species.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 1, 2026
Staff working at a Guinness canning factory in Belfast, owned by international drinks firm Diageo, have begun strike action in protest over their pay.
From BBC ● Dec. 12, 2025
Mom was busy canning tomatoes, and I didn’t see any sign of dinner.
From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings
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.
